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Vol. VI, No. 4 July, 1921 

Smith College Studies 
in History 



JOHN SPENCER BASSETT 
SIDNEY BRADSHAW FAY 

Editors 



THE WESTOVER JOURNAL OF JOHN A. SELDEN, Esqr. 

1858-1862 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 
Sj'JOHN SPENCER BASSETT, Ph.D.,LL.D. 



NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 

Published Quarterly by the 
Department of History of Smith College 

Entered as second class matter December 14, 1915, at the postoffice at Northampton, 
Mass., under the act of August 24, 1912 



ponograph 



SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN HISTORY 

JOHN SPENCER BASSETT 
SIDNEY BRADSHAW FAY 

EDITORS 

The Smith College Studies in History is published quarterly, in October, 
January, April and July, by the Department of History and Government of Smith 
College. The subscription price is seventy-five cents for single numbers, two dollars 
for the year. Subscriptions and requests for exchanges should be addressed to 
Professor Sidney B. Fay, Northampton, Mass. 

The Smith College Studies in History aims primarily to afford a medium 
for the publication of studies in History and Government by investigators who have 
Borne relation to the College, either as faculty, alumnae, students or friends. It 
aims also to publish from time to time brief notes on the field of History and Gov- 
ernment which may be of special interest to alumnae of Smith College and to others 
interested in the higher education of women. Contributions of studies or notes which 
promise to further either of these aims will be welcomed, and should be addressed to 
Professor John S. Bassett, Northampton, Mass. 

SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN HISTORY 

VOLUME I 

No. 1. "An Introduction of the History of Connecticut as a 

Manufacturing State" Grace Pierpont Fuller 

Nos. 2, 3. "The Operation of the Freedmen's Bureau in South 

Carolina" Laura Josephine Webster 

No. 4. "Women's Suffrage in New Jersey, 1790-1807" E. R. Turner 

"The Cherokee Negotiations of 1822-1823" Annie Heloise Abel 

VOLUME II 

No. 1. "The Hohenzollern Household and Administration in the 

Sixteenth Century" Sidney Bradshaw Fay 

No. 2. "Correspondence of George Bancroft and Jared Sparks 

1823-1832" Edited by John Spencer Basset, 

No. 3. "The Development of the Powers of the State Executive in 

New York" Margaret C. Alexander 

No. 4. "Trade of the Delaware District Before the 

Revolution" Mary Alice Hann& 

VOLUME III 

No. 1. "Joseph Hawley's Criticism of the Constitution of 

Massachusetts" Mary Catherine Chine 

No. 2. "Finances of Edwapd VI and Mary" Frederick Charles Diets 

No. 3. "The Ministry of Stephen of Perche During the 

Minority of William II of Sicily" John C. Hildt 

No. 4. "Northern Opinion of Approaching Secession" L. T. Lowrey 

VOLUME IV 

No. 1. "The Problem of Administrative Areas" Harold J. Laski 

No. 2. "In the Time of Sir John Eliot" M. B. Fuller 

No. 3. "A Study of the Life of Hadrian Prior to His 

Accession" William Dodge Gray 

No. 4. "The Hayes-Con kling Controversy, 1877-1879" Venila L. Shores 

VOLUME V 

Nos. 1, 2. "Public Opinion in Philadelphia, 1789-1801" Margaret Woodbury 

No. 3. "Development of History and Government in Smith 

College, 1875-1920, With a List of Publications 

of the Faculty and Alumnae" Mary Brcese Fuller 

No. 4. "Influences Toward Radicalism in Connecticut, 

1754-1775" Edith Anna Bailey 

VOLUME VI 

Nos. 1,2. "Le Dernier Sejour de J. -J. Kousseau a Paris, 

1770-1778" Elisabeth A. Foster 

No. 3. "Letters of Ann Gillam Storrow to Jared 

Sparks" Frances Bradshaw Blanshard 



HE SEEMAN PRINTERY. DURHAM, N. C. 



Vol. VI, No. 4 July, 1921 

Smith College Studies 
in History 



JOHN SPENCER BASSETT 
SIDNEY BRADSHAW FAY 

Editors 



THE WESTOVER JOURNAL OF JOHN A. SELDEN, Esqr. 

1858-1862 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 
By JOHN SPENCER BASSETT, Ph.D., LL.D. 



NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 

Published Quarterly by the 
Department of History of Smith College 



A3 



*r"\ 






CONTENTS 

Chapter I 
Introduction 

Chapter II 
Journal, July 1, 1858-June 3, 1859 

Chaptfr III 
Abridged Journal, July 1, 1859-May, 24, 1864. 



PAGE 



257 



265 



298 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 

CHAPTER I 

Introduction 

The history of social life in the ante-bellum South is em- 
bodied to a large extent in the history of the Southern planta- 
tion. To know what the persons did who lived on such an 
estate, to see how they conducted their labors and spent their 
leisure, to understand their ideals and their aspirations, is to 
know what the old Southern life was like. In the Journal here 
published all these things are reflected with a degree of accuracy 
that challenges dispute. It is the record of a man who had a 
strong sense of detail and who wrote for the purpose of express- 
ing the thoughts and interests that occupied his daily life. Most 
probably he never thought that the work would be published. It 
has every indication of being an unconscious witness of what he 
did and thought. It speaks for itself to him who would know 
the character of a phase of life that is irrevocably past, a life 
that has often been described under the influence of romantic 
motives, a life that will never be better portrayed than in the 
candid pages of such men as Mr. Selden. 

The Westover estate, on the James River, is itself one of the 
best known of all the historic estates of this country. It is 
situated on the James River, about twenty miles east of Rich- 
mond, at a place where the rich low-grounds are broad and in- 
viting. One of the early proprietors described it as lying two 
miles above where the great ships rode ; and from this fact it 
undoubtedly derived some of its early importance. Adjoining it 
on the east was the estate of Berkley, the home of one branch of 
the Harrison family. A few miles to the west was Shirley, the 
home of the James River branch of the Carters. A few miles 
below it was the famous Brandon estate, and not much further 
away was Green Springs, the fine estate of the famous royalist 
governor, Sir William Berkley, long the centre of fashion and 



258 Smith College Studies in History 

authority in colonial Virginia. The neighborhood was the best 
in the colony, at a time when Virginia was in the lead in all the 
English king's colonial possessions in America. 

Most of the historic Virginia estates emerged from a maze of 
early land speculation about the middle of the seventeenth cen- 
tury — that is, when the colony was about half-a-century old. In 
this early phase of its history Westover was granted, in 1619, to 
Lord Delaware, whose family name was West. The title seems 
to have lapsed through failure to settle the place, and in 1638 it 
was re-granted, this time to Captain Thomas Pawlett, a kins- 
man of Governor Berkley. A few years later it passed to Sir 
John Pawlett, a brother of the second patentee, who sold the 
larger part of it (1200 acres) to Theoderick Bland for one hun- 
dred seventy pounds. In 1668 it passed by purchase to Captain 
William Byrd, in whose family it remained for one hundred 
and forty-six years. It was the Byrd family that made Westover 
the most noted estate in Virginia. 

Captain William Byrd made his fortune in farming, Indian 
trade, and general development of the then frontier, at what is 
now the city of Richmond. His removal to Westover was due 
to two causes : he had become auditor of the colony and felt that 
he should live nearer the centre of settlements than the falls of 
the James, and having become one of the leading men in Vir- 
ginia he wished to give his family the advantages of residence 
in a better-developed part of the colony. He bought Westover 
and lived there until his death in 1704. His last days were spent 
in widowed loneliness, attended only by his faithful housekeeper, 
Joanna Jarratt, 1 and his man, Jean Marat. 

The estate devolved by his will to his one son, William Byrd, 
the second of the name, whom he had sent to England to be 
educated. This young man was already a well known figure in 
a fashionable group in London. He had won the good will of 
men of distinction, his fashionable bearing and ready purse 
made him a marked figure in society, and his solid intellectual 



1 The overseer on the estate in Mr. Selden's time was named Jarratt. 
He remained there while the place was occupied by the Union Army. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 259 

qualities enabled him to hold his own among men prominent 
in literary and scientific matters. Returning to Virginia he 
took a leading part in the affairs of the colony, and a few years 
later went back to London, accompanied by his handsome 
daughter, Evelyn Byrd, who became at once a reigning belle. 
Colonel William Byrd, as he is called in contra-distinction from 
his father, Captain Byrd, spent much of the middle period of his 
life in England. His later years were passed in Virginia. Here 
he built (probably some time before 1737) the handsome home 
that still survives. He collected a large library for the times — 
in 1777 it contained nearly four thousand volumes. He enter- 
tained handsomely, and through his own distinction and ability he 
rose to the position of president of the council, next to the gover- 
nor, the highest official in Virginia. He added to his other achieve- 
ments the writing of three charming books, the style of which 
entitles him to the rank of the sprightliest writer in the colonies 
before Franklin. He died at Westover in 1744 and left the estate 
to his son, the third William Byrd of Westover. 

The student of French history notes that Louis XIII built 
up the great French monarchy, Louis XIV made it famous and 
grand by his magnificent style of life and his ambition, and 
Louis XV wasted it by sensuous and uncontrolled appetites. In 
nearly the same way, the first William Byrd built up the Westover 
fortune, the second of the name made it brilliant by his magnifi- 
cent talents, and the third of the name wasted it by his weakness. 
Under this man ill-fortune hovered over Westover. Gambling 
brought a load of debts, and finally the spendthrift took his own 
life in a fit of despair, on January 1, 1777. He left a strong- 
willed widow, Mary Willing, of the Philadelphia family of that 
name, who conducted the property with such ability that she 
managed to save the Westover estate for her own home and to 
keep it until she died there in 1814. 2 

After her death it was thrown on the market. It was pur- 
chased by William Carter, who soon became involved in debt 



1 In the Editor's Edition of The Writings of Colonel William Byrd of 
Virginia, Esqr., 1902, is an ample sketch of the Byrd family. 



260 Smith College Studies in History 

through indorsing for a friend, when it passed into the hands of 
a Mr. Douthall, who had won a large sum of money in a lottery. 
When he died, a short time later, it was sold to George E. Har- 
rison, of Brandon, who intended to conduct the plantation in 
connection with his operations at his own place. He found that 
Brandon was too far from Westover for such plans, and in 
1829 he sold Westover to John A. Selden for $18,000. It was 
not again in the market until 1862, when it passed into the hands 
of Ellett and Drury, and later into the possession of Major Au- 
gustus Drury, the price being $50,000. Here again it remained 
for many years and was sold in 1898 to Mrs. Charles Sears Ram- 
say, who remained the owner until 1920. It has just been an- 
nounced that the place has been purchased by Mr. Richard Teller 
Crane, Jr., of Chicago, the recently appointed minister to 
Czecho-Slovakia. 

Much has been written about the Westover estate and the 
people who lived on it. Perhaps it is the most famous of our 
colonial estates. But nearly all that has been said about it refers 
to the period during which it belonged to Colonel William Byrd. 
His brilliant figure in his time won the attention of posterity. 
His charming "Writings," which this editor edited twenty years 
ago, with a sketch of the Byrd family in Virginia, have served to 
endear the place to those who have the happy faculty of wishing 
to read the good books of our early literature. It is the Westover 
of the second William Byrd that is best known to the present 
generation. 

Of the Westover of the nineteenth century little has been 
written or known up to the present. But I have recently been 
allowed access to a very interesting journal kept by John A Selden, 
owner of the place from 1829 to 1862, which supplies much 
information on the subject. It is not only interesting because it 
relates to Westover, but because it presents an accurate picture 
of life on a Virginia estate just before and during the civil war. 
It begins abruptly with July 1, 1858, and ends abruptly May 31, 
1864, a year and a half after the journalist had sold Westover; 
and there is a strong probability that it is not the only volume 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 261 

of the kind that Mr. Selden prepared. It now belongs to Mr. 
Armistead Inge Selden, of "Contentment," Greensboro, Alabama, 
a grandson of John A. Selden, through whose courtesy I am able 
to give portions of it to the public. 

Of John A. Selden, who owned Westover from 1829 to 1862, 
his own Journal is his best witness. He was descended from 
Samuel Selden, who came from England to Elizabeth City County, 
Virginia, in 1690. His son Joseph married Mary Cary, and died 
at Hampton, Virginia, full of honors, in 1727. Joseph's son, 
Miles Cary Selden, became a clergyman and served St. John's 
Church in Richmond. He was strong for the revolution and was 
called the "Patriot Parson." His grandson, Colonel Miles Cary 
Selden, married Martha Allen. One of their sons was Miles, and 
another was John Armistead Selden. The latter, the owner of 
Westover and author of The Journal, married Maria Pemberton, 
of Goochland County, and had eighteen children — fifteen sons and 
three daughters. Seven of these sons served in Confederate 
armies ; six of them settled ultimately in Alabama, two of them 
(Miles and John) remained in Virginia, and one (James) settled 
in Georgia. Of the daughters, Martha (called "Kittie" by her 
father), married John D. Hobson, of Howard's Neck, Goochland 
County; his second daughter, Mary Ann (the "Mollie" of the 
Journal), did not marry; and the third, Maria, married Hugh 
Nelson, of Petersburg, Virginia, who settled in Alabama. John 
A. Selden, the father of this large family, moved to Westover 
soon after he bought it in 1829. During the period covered by 
the Journal he was a partner in the mercantile firm of Selden and 
Miller in Richmond. 

Mr. Selden was a man of great energy and business ability, 
as his own brief entries amply testify. He was a justice of the 
peace of Charles City County, at a time when to hold such an 
office was indicative of the highest rank among the county fam- 
ilies. He was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church in 
Westover Parish. His inventories show that he lived in ample 
comfort and the Journal itself mentions many handsome enter- 
tainments at Westover in his day. Among those who came and 



262 Smith College Studies in History 

received hospitality were Lord Napier, the British minister in 
Washington, Mr. Corcoran, the eminent banker and patron of 
art, besides the leading men of Virginia. He was on intimate 
terms with the leading families of the neighborhood, and in every 
respect he kept the life at Westover up to the high standard set 
by its previous owners. 

Besides being a clear and accurate account of events on a 
Southern estate in the period before the Civil War, the Journal 
is a valuable correction of a popular representation of plantation 
life, for which some of our more fanciful novelists and diarists 
are responsible. Over such writers Mr. Selden had the great 
advantage of being on the spot and writing at the time. The 
tragedy of defeat had not supervened when he wrote. He had no 
other object than to put down in crisp sentences day by day what 
he did day by day. To him life was only what it was. He shows us 
a planter who never went fox-hunting, although he records once 
that the fox-hunters came to his place and had a good time. In 
fact, the Journal rarely mentions game of any time, and only 
twice alludes to hunting, once when the fox-hunters came and once 
when some friends of his son John came to Westover to go 
hunting. It is important to know that not all of the old Southern 
life was given up to pleasant dallying. . 

On the contrary, we do see a man very busy and practical. He 
gave the most careful attention to the seeding of wheat, oats, and 
clover, the dragging of the land after seeding, and its proper 
drainage, as well as to the harrowing and fallowing before 
planting. He tells us day by day how many acres were seeded 
and with how many bushels. With the harvest he is equally par- 
ticular. The wages of his hired gleaners and binders, the shock- 
ing, the threshing, and the loading of the schooners that carried 
the grain from his docks to the market in Richmond, — all these 
are set down with the most conscientious care. There is no 
month in the year whose routine is not here displayed to us. 
And the man who directed this piece of industrial machinery is 
as simple and honest as if he were the hero of a novel. He 
directed his own plantation, and saw that his orders were carried 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 263 

out with the aid of his "son Edward." He bought and sold, he 
carried the purse of the family, he did all the things that any 
prosperous farmer in the United States or out of them has to 
do to carry his operations on successfully. When the wheat was 
harvested and at market, he drew on his sales account, paid the 
bills of the year, and then turned his steps, accompanied by 
"daughter Mollie," to the White Sulphur Springs for a fortnight 
of relaxation. The life he exhibits is perhaps the normal life of 
the well-to-do Virginia planter of his day. Those who believe 
that there is more truth in fiction than in history will be disap- 
pointed with the Wpstover Journal; but the reader who has a 
sense of reality in him must feel that it glows with candor and 
abounds in truth. 

While it is faithfulness to detail that gives the Journal its 
chief value, it is true that the book contains enough facts to 
make it tedious reading if printed in its entirety. With this in 
view, I have followed the plan of presenting one year in full — 
July 1, 1858, to June 30, 1859 — and of publishing the remainder 
of the Journal in an abridged form, omitting all that referred to 
the mere routine of the estate, which had been well illustrated in 
the unabridged year, and including all that is of unusual interest, 
and especially all that refers to the civil war crisis. This plan 
is justified by the nature of the material, and it is made acceptable 
by the narrow space that can be devoted to the subject in the 
series in which it appears. The reader is assured that I have 
omitted no reference to conditions arising out of the war. West- 
over was in the path of McClellan's army when he fell back from 
the Seven-Days'-Fight around Richmond and it formed a part 
of his camp at his new base at Harrison's Landing. Mr. Selden 
was not on the estate at the time, although his wife and son were 
there for eight weeks, surrounded by the soldiery. It seems 
strange that under such conditions the diary should have told us so 
little about the occupation. Mr. Selden never wrote for effect ; he 
probably never expected his record to be published. It is for 
this reason that we may value so highly the terse and brief entries 
he did make. 



264 Smith College Studies in History 

In general the text has been reproduced with exactness ; when, 
however, an error seemed the result of a mere slip of the pen, I 
have taken the liberty of correcting it. Most of the contractions 
used by the diarist have been discarded for the ordinary forms, 
and the capitalization and punctuation have been made to con- 
form with modern usage. Mr. Selden was an intelligent man, 
and he was the associate of such men as General Wise, General 
Magruder, Mr. Wickham, and Colonel Hill Carter. He uses as 
good English as others around him. His diary rarely contains 
mistakes, and such as are found in it may fairly be assumed to 
be the result of ordinary frailities of the average man of affairs. 
There can be no object in reproducing these slips of the pen. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 265 

CHAPTER II 

Journal of John A. Selden, of Westover, July 1, 1858, 
to June 3, 1859 

1858 

July 

1. Thursday. Having finished my Wheat Harvest on yester- 
day, we start 8 single plos. to ploughing over the first corn laid 
by, as it [is] getting grassy and baked. The corn generally looks 
backward and badly. Mrs. Quarles and daughter Anna came. 
Very warm. 

2. Friday. Ran 10 plos. Very hot. Males gave out gleaning 
wheat field. Thinning corn, etc. 

3. Saturday. Same work. Sent my wagon out in my outer 
woods for two oak posts for Barn machine [i. e., a threshing 
machine]. Very warm. Gus Crenshaw and wife came. 

4. Sunday. Still very warm. Gave church $2.00. 

5. Monday. When [sic] down with daughter Mollie to Old 
Point. Boat did not go by Old Point this evening in consequence 
of being very late and the heavy sea. Cutting oats with machine. 

6. Tuesday. Went down to Old Point this morning in Glen 
Cove with daughter Mollie from Norfolk. Staid last night at 
National Hotel and paid for her $3.00. Cutting oats. Very 
warm. 

7. Wednesday. Same work. Found the Point full. 

8. Thursday. Rained a little. Same work. New machine 
came down yesterday for threshing from Smith's. 

9. Friday. Same work. 

10. Saturday. Paid Mr. Mott for repairing my old machine 
$10.00. Finished my harvest of oats (50 acres). 

11. Sunday. Very warm day. 

12. Monday. Finished laying by my corn, getting up gleaned 
wheat and oats. 

13. Tuesday. Left Old Point for Norfolk. Paid my bill, 7 l / 2 



266 Smith College Studies in History 

days $40.00. Remained all night with Captain Saunders. 1 Paid 
Captain Saunders in full interest to 1st July, $150.00. 

14. Wednesday. Returned home in Custis Peck. Paid Custis 
Peck $3.00. Gave servants while away $2.50. Found we have 
had a severe drought : no rain since I left to do any good. Had 
a very pleasant visit to Old Point. 

15. Thursday. Clearing up, etc., to thresh wheat. 

16. Friday. Commenced threshing some gleaned wheat in 
evening with old machine. 

17. Saturday. Dust so bad had to abandon the barn and put 
down new machine under my shelter. Son William returned 
from school. 

18. Sunday. Attended church. Paid alms $1.00. 

19. Monday. Threshed all day, but the machine was getting 
constantly out of order, so we did not do much. 

20. Tuesday. The new machine broke this morning and had 
to send the piece up to Richmond to be repaired. Went on 
threshing with old machine in barn. Rained in evening, about 
half enough. Corn almost ruined for the want of rain. Paid 
Watt Onley's wife for loading carts 5 days $2.50. Ditto Joe 
Taylor for putting up wheat to machine $1.25. Mr. David 
Minge and wife and children dined here. 

21. Wednesday. Mr. Shields left on yesterday. He carried 
up my machine wheel for me. Wheat too wet to thresh. Pre- 
paring Ruta Baga patch and thinning carrots, etc. Paid Lobi- 
dee [ ?] Taylor for 3 days work in picking up oats at 62^2 cts., 
$1.87>1 Paid Richard Taylor for ditto $2.28. Paid Lemuel 
and Ben Taylor for Z J / 2 days $4.50. 

22. Thursday. Omitted to credit Selden & Miller of Rich- 
mond for $199.12 on an order of Legas [ ?] of Old Point he 
paid me on Tuesday 13th. Threshed all day with old machine. 
I went up to Richmond with daughter Mollie on her way to 
Springs. Paid her $3.00. 

23. Friday. Received of Selden and Miller to pay my teacher 
Mr. Jones, etc., $500.00. Paid Price and Watkins for cloak for 



1 Captain John L. Saunders married John A. Selden's sister Martha. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 267 

daughter Mollie $15.00. Gave Mollie to go to the springs and to 
pay her fare up to White Sulphur $20.00. Hack and half-soling 
shoes $2.25. My new machine broke again and had to send it 
up in my wagon to Smith. 

24. Saturday. Returned home in Custis Peck. Threshed 
all day with old machine. My waggon returned by one o'cl. Still 
very dry and cool. Paid boy Archy for picking up oats $2.25. 
Paid Mager for 12 chickens $1.50. Paid Anderson for fish $.60. 

25. Sunday. Very warm and dry. 

26. Monday. Gave my son Edward $5.00. Paid Mr. Jesse 
Simpkins Jones, my teacher, in full ; paid him today $400.00. 
Gave my son Wille this sum to go to Goochland, $5.00. Sent 
hogs [head] bacon hams weighing 956 lbs. nett to Selden and 
Miller to sell. Threshed with old machine. Quite cool and dry. 

27. Tuesday. Threshed with old machine in morning : started 
new after dinner. 

28. Wednesday. New machine broke the 3rd time this morn- 
ing. Carried it to Richmond. 

29. Thursday. Threshed with old barn machine. Went up 
to Richmond to have machine wheels repaired on yesterday. 
Spent today in Richmond, $10.00. 

30. Friday. Insured my Barnes, Shed, etc., in Alexandria 
office, Mr. J. Thomas Budd, Agent, for $3,416, premium $34.16. 
Survey and policy $2. Paid Mr. Budd this date $36.16, and gave 
my note for $171 should it be required. This insures the prop- 
erty for three years from date. Threshed with old machine. 

31. Saturday. Started new machine again but it broke two 
wheels in less than an hour. 

August 

1. Sunday. Attended church. Mr. Bonsall and wife and 
Miss Neale arrived on yesterday. Paid at church $1.00 for 
Mr. Scott's work on Africa. Execessively dry and hot. 

2. Monday. Sent new Machine up to Richmond in Custis Peck 
and sent Oliver up to get some Brass, etc., for old Machines. 
Gave him $1.00. Gave Mr. Maiser, our music teacher, 4 shirts, 
pr. pants, vest, 2 pr. socks, and handkerchief. Paid Mr. Maiser 



268 Smith College Studies in History 

for 31 music lessons to children $31.00. $20 of this was paid 
in advance in April. Paid him today $11. 

3. Tuesday. Worked old Barn Machine. Very hot and dry. 

4. Wednesday. Same work, excessively hot. 

5. Thursday. Moved old Pitts Machine in outer field near 
Flying Point and commenced Threshing. 

6. Friday. Threshed today 240 bushels. My wife left for 
Howards Neck (my daughter's) with 3 children and Miss Neale. 
Gave her $15.00. Excessively hot and dry. 

7. Saturday. Finished threshing all my white wheat (150 
acres) by 12 o'cl. Vessel arrived for it. Commcd. cleaning in 
evening. Invited to Shirley but unwell, could not go. Mr. Bon- 
sall went in my carriage. 

8. Sunday. Very warm day. 

9. Monday. Cleaning and delivering wheat. Delivered today 
1050 bushels white wheat. 

10. Tuesday. Cleaned and delivered today 1010 bushels. 

11. Wednesday. Finished delivering my white wheat this 
morning by breakfast time. In all delivered to schooner H. and J. 
Nichol, Captain John R. Jones, of Balto., 2313 bushels 20 lbs. of 
nice wheat weighing near 62 lbs. consigned to Hoxall, Crenshaw 
& Co., of Richmond. Excessively hot and dry. Never have known 
so severe a drought before. Corn almost entirely burnt up. Have 
had no rain now to do any good since the 17th June, two months. 
Preparing to start Pitts Machine to thresh my corn land purple 
straw. Paid Watt Onley for 18 dys work at 75 cts., $13.50. 

12. Thursday. Threshing purple straw wheat on corn land. 
Went up to Richmond with Son James and woman Polly. Paid 
for their fares, etc., $3.00. 

13. Friday. Received of Hoxall, Crenshaw and Co. this 
amount in part for wheat delivered them, $1500, $1000 of which 
I deposited in Va. Bank. Paid my bill at A. K. Parker & Co. 
in check in full for dry goods, $493.39. Paid Putney & Watts 
for shoes in check, $179.98. Paid Beers & Poindexter for suit 
clothes for self $51.00. Paid Price & Watkins for dresses for 
Mollie $61.63. Paid Miss Vernon, dress-maker, for making 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 269 

Mollie's dresses, etc., $54.25. Paid for oranges to send to my 
daughter Kittie $2.00. Sent my wife to Howard's Neck by 
Jimmie $25.00. Gave to son Jimmie to buy socks $1.00 and to 
carry him and Polly up to Howard's Neck $3.50. Wrote to 
Mr. John B. Cary, of Hampton, accepting Mr. McCabe 2 as teacher 
at $350 and also Miss Spielman as teacher in my family of music, 
French, and German. 

There was an error in my insurance of my Barnes, etc., on 
the 30th July last. The offices would not insure for more than 
$3000; so gave my bond for $150 instead of $171, which was re- 
turned to me. Mr. Budd owes me $4.16, the difference in the 
two amounts. 

14. Saturday. Returned home. Paid for hacks, etc., $5.00. 
Finished threshing all my wheat today. Threshed of purple straw 
from 50 acres of corn land 1320 bushels, an average of 26^ 
bushls. We estimate our crop of wheat including all at 4250 
bushels, or an average of 21*4 bushels, which is the best average 
I have heard of. 

15. Sunday. Attended church. Very warm. Mr. Bonsall 
and wife left us on yesterday for Shirley. They have been here 
just two weeks. Son John went up to Richmond yesterday to 
consult the doctors : fears he has gravel. 

16. Monday. Sent son William down to Doctor George 
Wilson's for some seed wheat in steam boat : gave him $5.00. 
Moving machine to barn from field, etc. Cleaned wheat, etc. 

17. Tuesday. Cleaned wheat. Hauling in oats and preparing 
turnip patch. Son William returned in steamboat : carried down 
75 bags for 150 busl. seed wheat of Doctor Geo. Wilson of Surry. 
Captain John Davis of steamer Glen Cove died last night at 2 oc'l. 
in Richmond. He was a kind and particular friend of mine and 
greatly lamented by the whole community. 

18. Wednesday. Vessel arrived for balance of my wheat: 
delivered this evening 500 bushels red wheat. Commenced raining 
about night. 



2 This was W. Gordon McCabe, who later achieved distinguished suc- 
cess as head of the University School in Petersburg and Richmond. 



270 Smith College Studies in History 

19. Thursday. Had a very pretty rain last night, with a 
great deal of Lightning and Thunder. This is the first rain we 
have had to do any good since the 17th June, too late I fear to 
do the Corn much good. Finished delivering the balance of my 
wheat this morning by 12 o'cl. Delivered 104 42-60 lbs. [bushels] 
white and 1155 22-60 bushels red, making 1260 4-60 of wheat 
today or by the E. Miller, Wm, Allen's Lighter. In all delivered 
to Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co., 3593 23-60 bushels. 

Paid off rest of my hirelings for threshing wheat. Paid Lem- 
uel $16.50, Richard $18.74, Archer $13.62, Daniel $16.00, Ben 
$15.35, Harriet $13.00. Paid Watt Onley and wife for same 
before $16.00. Gave my son Edward today $50.00. Saved 250 
bushels white wheat for seed, and 50 for flour, and 75 bushels 
red for seed, and 20 bushels for Mr. Carter. Paid Pompey for 6 
chickens $.75. Paid Patrick for 8 ditto $1.00. 3 Went up to 
Richmond in Glen Cove, $1.50. 

20. Friday. Remained in Richmond. 

21. Saturday. Same. 

22. Sunday. Same. 

23. Monday. Received of Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co. toward 
my wheat $1500. Paid Robert M. Taylor the interest due him 
in full to 5th August, 1858, $557.52. Bought a thin overcoat for 
self $12.00. Gave Oliver, my servant, $5.00. Candy, etc., for 
daughter Kittie $.75. Hack, etc., $2.00. Paid Canal Boat, etc., 
$5.15. Paid to wife at Howard's Neck $25.00. Went up to 
Howard's Neck this evening. 

24. Tuesday. Remained at Howard's Neck. 

25. Wednesday. Same. 

26. Thursday. Returned to Richmond. Paid P. Johnston & 
Brother for medicines in full in check $62.23. Paid J. D. Good- 
man for suit clothes for son William $27.75. Paid Keen & Co. 
for socks, etc., for Willie $3.50. Paid for cap self $.75, suspend- 
ers and gloves $1.50. Paid Mr. Brown in check for William's 



3 The Journal contains many entries showing that Mr. Selden purchased 
various articles from his slaves. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 271 

board, tuition, etc., at his school in Albemarle $125.00. Check to 
self on Va. Bank to carry me to the Springs, etc., $500.00. Paid 
Bulkley for oil, lamps, etc., for son William $3.02. Paid to Wil- 
liam to pay his expenses up to Mr. Brown's school and for pocket 
money $16.00. Remained in Richmond. 

27. Friday. Remained in Richmond. 

28. Saturday. Started for the White Sulphur by Central 
Road: paid fare, etc., $19.50. Hack, $1.25. Night and break- 
fast at Calehans, $1.50. Dinner at Staunton, $.75. 

29. Sunday. Arrived at White Sulphur to breakfast: found 
all my children were at Old Sweet. 

30. Monday. Remained at White Sulphur until evening. 
Hired hack and went over to Old Sweet. Bill at White, $5.50. 
Hack, $5.00. 

31. Tuesday. Arrived here last night at Old Sweet. Found 
son Joe and wife, son John and daughter Mollie here. Very 
crowded. Mr. Robbins, of Gloucester, gave me his bed. 

September 

1. Wednesday. At Old Sweet; found everything burnt up in 
mountains as well as at home by drought. 

2. Thursday. Paid for washing, etc., $3.50. Gave daughter 
Mollie to pay for washing, etc., $8.50. 

3. Friday. Same at Old Sweet. 

4. Saturday. Same. 

5. Sunday. Same. 

6. Monday. Same. 

7. Tuesday. Same. 

8. Wednesday. Same. 

9. Thursday. Started for Alleghany Springs with daughter 
Mollie in stage. Paid daughter Mollie's and my bill ; mine $34.25, 
Mollie's $28.00. Arrived at Roanoke Red Springs tonight. Paid 
our fare to Salem, $15.00. Daughter Kittie had daughter born 
on 9th at nine o'cl. day. 

10. Friday. Got to Salem to dinner where daughter Mollie was 
taken sick from eating too many apples, etc. 

11. Saturday. Remained in Salem. 



272 Smith College Studies in History 

12. Sunday. Left for Alleghany. Bill at Salem, $5.00. 
Bought pr. overshoes for Mollie, $1.25. Paid Doctor Alexander 
for attending Mollie, $2.00. Railroad to Alleghany $375. Ar- 
rived at Alleghany Springs in evening: found Joe, and wife there. 
Rained two nights and one day. 

13. Monday. Found it dry here also. 4 

18. Saturday. Remained at Alleghany Springs one week and 
left here today for Lynchburg. Paid my bill at Alleghany $30.70. 
Paid for stage $4.50. Washing at Alleghany, $2.75. Gave 
daughter Mollie to buy sugar, etc., $3.75. Railroad to Lynchburg, 
$13.10. Two Carboys Alleghany water, $4.00. Gave Oliver, 
$2.50. 

19. Sunday. Remained in Lynchburg. 

20. Monday. Paid bill in Lynchburg, $12.75. Left in evening 
by way of Canal for Howard's Neck. Paid fare on Canal for 
Howard's Neck, $11.25, started at 7 o'cl. at night. Servants in 
Lynchburg and boat, $1.25. 

21. Tuesday. Arrived at Howard's Neck this evening; found 
all well. 

22. Wednesday. Dined at Martin Hobson's. 

23. Thursday. Had large dinner party at John Hobson's. 5 

24. Friday. Dined at Mary Pemberton's. 

25. Saturday. Left at night with wife, Jimmy, Maria, Army, 
and 3 servants for Richmond. Gave daughter Mollie to come 
home on, $15.00. Paid to Canal Boat, fare, $11.00. Servants, 
John Hobson's, $1.50. Hack and baggage wagon, $1.95. Servants 
Canal Boat, $.95. 

26. Sunday. Arrived in Richmond about 5 o'cl. in most tre- 
mendous rain. Commenced raining about 12 o'cl. and rained 
steadily until 10 o'cl. in day. 

27. Monday. Settled with Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co., for my 
wheat as follows: 3,573 24-60 bushels wheat at $1.50 white and 
red, $5,360.10. Paid on August 13th, $1,500. Ditto on 23rd, 



4 No entry for five days. 

6 John D. Hobson, of Howard's Neck, Goochland County, married 
Kitty Selden, daughter of the diarist. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 273 

$1,500. Ditto on September 27, $2,360.10. Deposited the 
$2,360.10 with Selden and Miller. Paid Lindsey for Beef, $5.75. 
Paid today for 2 dozen Sora to send John Hobson by canal boat, 
$1.50. Paid for caps for children at Dickman's, $4.75. Gave 
Oliver to buy him a coat, $10.00. Gave Polly my servant, $2.00. 
Paid Moore for Hardware, etc., $8.62. Paid for stock for self, 
$1.25. 

28. Tuesday. Paid Mitchell and Tyler for a tea set of silver, 
consisting of an Earn, Tea Pot, Sugar Dish, Slop bowl, and Tea 
Pot. Gave check, $320.00. Paid same for two ear rings for 
Daughter Maria, $7.00. Paid Hack and servants, $2.00. 

29. Wednesday. Returned home in Glen Cove, leaving my 
wife and daughter Maria in Richmond. Found all well here. 
Not one soul has been sick this fall except Edward, my son, and 
that caused by his own imprudence in going into the marsh and 
exposing himself. Found, although they have had so dry a 
season, all the fallowing done and nearly the whole rolled two and 
three times and all dragged and drained ready to seed in wheat. 
They have had no rain from 17th June until the 12th this month 
to wet the land ! The Corn Crop is entirely ruined. Do not 
think I shall make 100 barrels of good corn on 125 acres of land : 
never have witnessed such destruction in my life. Have lost 8 
or 10 hogs with the Colera, as it is called. Son Edwards thinks 
bleeding them in the tail the best remedy. He used coperas and 
alum also. Some call it the black tongue. There was much 
of it about Richmond in the cattle. In Curies Neck they lost 
240 head on Wm. Allen's Estate. My son John and wife, who 
have been staying here all the summer, left about a week ago. 

30. Thursday. Commenced cutting down corn and ploughing 
corn land next grove .and Flying Point pea-land. They scattered 
nearly half my straw this fall on Clover and field to go in corn 
land next year. 

October 

1. Friday. My wife and daughter Maria came home today. 
Same work. Had appearance of rain but it passed off with only 
few showers. 



274 Smith College Studies in History 

2. Saturday. Very warm. Too warm to sow wheat. Plough- 
ing corn land and cutting down corn in old grove. 

3. Sunday. Attended Church. Mr. McCabe and Miss Ma- 
thilde Spielmann, my teachers, arrived on yesterday. I am to 
give them $350 each for 10 months. Very warm. 

4. Monday. Commenced seeding wheat this morning, next 
to the dividing fence between river field and Harrison's, with 
two drills. Seeded today 44 bushels in 25^2 acres. 

5. Tuesday. I went to Richmond today to attend a meeting 
of the Executive Committee of the V. C. A. Society 6 tomorrow, 
and to meet my daughter Mollie. Seeded today 28y& acres, and 
put in 51^4 bushels. 

6. Wednesday. Attended meeting V. C. A. S. Mollie did not 
come down. Paid Doctor O. A. Crenshaw his medical bill in full 
$33.00. Paid Mr. Jacob Felheimer for some copper plates for 
marking clothes, etc., $6.50. Paid Richmond Whist Club, $10.00. 
Paid membership V. C. A. Society, $2.00. Seeded today 19}4 
acres and 35 bushels. 

7. Thursday. Paid James Woodhouse for some schoolbooks, 
etc., $16.79. Seeded today 19^4 acres and 34^4 bushels. 

8. Friday. My daughter Mollie came down from Howard's 
Neck : met her at boat. Paid for suit clothes for Saunders to Ira 
Smith, $8.00. Paid Mitchell and Taylor for locket for Mollie, 
$2.75. Paid Mrs. Barton for bonnet for Mollie, $8.00. Paid 
Hacks, $3.75. Paid for cravat for Mollie, to give Ned, $.75. 
Other expenses in Richmond, $8.00. Seeded today 8^ acres 
and 15 bushels. Finished fallow this morning early and have 
seeded 101% acres and 180 bushels white wheat. 

9. Saturday. Ploughing and cutting down corn all the week : 
quite warm. Daughter Mollie, son Saunders, and myself came 
home. Paid fare for Mollie and Saunders, $2.25. Paid Tom 
Stewart for crabs last May, $1.25. Seeded 136 1-2 bushels of Dr. 
Runin Williams wheat and 43^2 of my own. 

10. Sunday. Very cool day: remained at home. 

11. Monday. Commenced seeding corn land. Seeded 6 acres 



The Virginia Central Agricultural Society. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 275 

in old grove and 10y 2 bushels. Quite warm again. Put up today 
97 hogs to kill. 

12. Tuesday. Rained very slightly last night, not enough to 
lay the dust well. Have to roll all our corn land once and twice. 
Seeded today 12 acres in which we put 19 bushels. 

13. Wednesday. Finished right hand side of old grove next 
Flying Point. Seeded this morning by breakfast 2 l /% acres. 
Put in 3*4 bushels, making on that side of road, exclusive of 
four beds in which the corn is stacked, 20^ acres and 32J4 
bushels wheat, — viz., 8^ acres of pea fallow, or old land, and 
12 acres of Corn land. 

14. Thursday. Harrowing and rolling corn land for seeding; 
quite warm and very dry. 

15. Friday. Seeded 4^4 acres next lane this evening, on 
which we put 7 bushels. 

16. Saturday. Seeded 12 acres today and 19^4 bushels, which 
makes 16*4 acres of land seeded on left hand side of road. 
Went down to son John's, Beachland. Win. A. Harrison lost his 
daughter Lotty this morning. My wife came home from there 
sick. 

17. Sunday. Very warm and no appearance of rain. Attended 
church and funeral of Wm. A. Harrison's daughter. 

18. Monday. Seeded today 6 acres and 9 I /> bushels wheat. 
John Saunders came and son Edward taken sick. Three ploughs 
running and 3 draggs. 

19. Tuesday. Seeded no wheat today; plos., etc. 

20. Wednesday. Seeded today 5^ acres and 7^2 bushels 
wheat. Seeded new ground and where old quarters were, and 
drained it all. 

21. Thursday. Attended court. Pd Jas. Hubbard, deputy 
sheriff, my taxes in full, in check on Bank of Virginia, $244.51. 
Paid Morrison for painting a part of my house last spring, $21.50. 
Seeded today 6^4 acres, on which we put \0 J / 2 bushels wheat. 
Finished on that side ditch to its head, so that we have seeded 
on that side of road, next Grove, 27^4 acres and 44^4 bushels 
wheat. Clouded up and threatening rain from E. Paid Col. James 



276 Smith College Studies in History 

M. Willcox, for a ram, $10.00. Paid for Horse feed, etc., $.50. 
We have now seeded 34^ acres of land on left hand side of 
lane leading to grove and 54J4 bushels wheat, and 20^ acres 
on right hand side of road next grove and 32^4 bushels wheat. 
In all of corn land seeded, 54^ acres and 863/2 bushels white 
wheat; and in all, 155^ acres of land and 266^ bushels of 
white wheat on fallow and corn land. 

22. Friday. Ploughing and getting off corn. 

23. Saturday. Went up to Richmond with daughter Mollie 
to attend the V. C. A. S., as one of the executive committee. 
Paid expenses up, $4.50. Same work at home. 

24. Sunday. Remained in Richmond. 

25. Monday. Went to fair ground to attend to arranging for 
fair, etc. Paid for membership to fair, $2.00. Sowed today 
about 12 acres red wheat and 18 bushels. Paid Robert for 10 
dozen Sora, $2.50. 

26. Tuesday. The fair of the United States and Va. Central 
Agri. Societies opened today with a large number of persons, 
probably the largest we have ever had in Richmond, except prob- 
ably the first State Fair. Sowed today Ay 2 acres and 6 bushels 
red wheat. Son Edward went up to Richmond today. 

27. Wednesday. Attended fair and went out to races at 
Ashland. Paid $3.50. Mrs. Freeland, daughters, and Mollie 
went. Sowed no wheat. Ploughing and getting off corn. 

28. Thursday. Great day at fair. General Caleb Cushing, 
of Massachusetts, speaker. Ploughing and getting land ready to 
sow wheat. 

29. Friday. Edward returned home and sowed 8^4 acres and 
12 bushels red wheat. Paid Doctor Wayt, dentist, $27.00. Had 
two teeth of Mollie's plugged. Paid Mitchel for putting coral in 
Mollie's ear rings and breast-pin, $3.50. Bought dozen lemons, 
$1.00, overshoes, $1.25. Gave son Edward, on Wednesday, 
$20.00. Paid Woodhouse for German books, $5.00. Went to 
large party at Mrs. Allan's at night. Rained nearly all day. 

30. Saturday. Seeded 6^/4 acres and 10 bushels red wheat. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 277 

Returned home. Left Mollie in Richmond. Paid for Hacks and 
servants while away, $5.25. 

31. Sunday. Remained at home. 

November 

1. Monday. My daughter Kittie and family and Mollie came 
down. Sowed today 7% acres and 11 bushels red. Dined at 
Shirley with Lord Napier, the British minister. 

2. Tuesday. Lord Napier and Lady, two Mr. Taylors, and the 
Shirley family took collation with me today. Had a beautiful 
entertainment. Sowed today 9%. acres and 14J4 bushels, 
which has finished to head of long ditch. Sowed on this side ditch 
48^2 acres; altogether 204 acres and 338 bushels wheat — 266^2 
bushels white and 7\y 2 bushels red. 

3. Wednesday. Ploughing and getting up corn, etc., fine 
weather. 

4. Thursday. Same. Sweet day. Mr. Volgar came to see 
Miss Spielman. 

5. Friday. Commenced raining this morning and rained stead- 
ily all day from N. E. 

6. Saturday. Rained nearly all last night and cleared off 
today. Hauled rails, etc., for farm pens. We have out 162 hogs. 
Pulled off some corn, etc. Let my man Miles go to Sussex to 
see his wife. Gave him $2.50. 

7. Sunday. Fine day. We all attended church. 

8. Monday. Ploughing and seeding wheat. Seeded today 
9]/ 2 acres on which we put 18 bushels mixed [?] wheat. Fannie 
Allen and her children came. 

9. Tuesday. Finished seeding all my wheat. Seeded today 
6% acres and 10 bushels wheat, so that we have seeded 220% 
acres and 362 bushels wheat. We have saved out only corn 
stacked rows for oats. This is the largest and best crop wheat 
I think I ever seeded. 

10. Wednesday. Fannie Allen left for Petersburg. Finished 
draining wheat, etc. My wife went down to son John's to see 
little Rannie, who has had a relapse of pleurisy. Gave her $5.00, 
and paid for oysters, $2.00. 



278 Smith College Studies in History 

11. Thursday. Cleaning up offal wheat. Put up in barn loft 

279 bushels screenings and 50 bushels of nice white wheat for 
flour. Rained all day. 

12. Friday. Rained all day yesterday and last night. Cleared 
off beautifully this morning. Pulling off and hauling in corn. 
Doctor Cole paid me $75.00 for son Miles, towards his bond on 
yesterday the 11th. 

13. Saturday. My wife returned from son John's. Little 
Rannie somewhat better. Mr. Hobson taken very sick with colic. 
Gathered in some corn and hauled in rails from outer woods. 
Bought $2.00 worth oysters of Hartwell. 

14. Sunday. John Hobson relieved of colic. Turned much 
colder. Lost another hog in pen from giving them salt ; two 
others sick. 

15. Monday. Ploughing for corn with three plos. in Flying 
Point field. Gathered in some corn. Let Dr. Stark have 8 
bushels of red seed wheat at $1.50 per bushel. Let him have 
it on 10th. 

16. Tuesday. Same work. Quite cold. Had little sprinkling 
snow yesterday night : ground quite hard with ice. 

17. Wednesday. Some work on farm: quite cold. 

18. Thursday. Attended court. Paid Dr. Stark's taxes for 
him, $221.93. He gave me only $200.00. He owes me $21.93. 
Paid for my dinner at C. H., 50 cents. Same work on farm. 
Dr. Crenshaw, Col. August, Mr. L. Benbury and son John came 
home with me and staid all night. Selden and Miller paid Robert 
M. Taylor for me $5,000.00. 

19. Friday. The gentlemen all left. Quite cold. Same work 
on farm. 

20. Saturday. Hartwell commenced brickwork on Patrick's 
chimney back of garden. Same work. 

21. Sunday. Rained. No church. 

22. Monday. Rained nearly all day. 

23. Tuesday. Ploughing and gathering in corn. 

24. Wednesday. Dr. Minge's and Dr. Stark's families dined 
here. Same work. Bought 2 bushels Oysters, $2.00. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 279 

25. Thursday. Same work. Ned quite sick. 

26. Friday. Quite cool. Same work. 

27. Saturday. My daughter Mollie and myself went down 
to my brother William's in buggy. Quite cold. Same work. 

28. Sunday. Snowed and rained last night and today. Re- 
turned home. Bad day. 

29. Monday. Expected to kill some of my hogs but day too 
bad. Ploughing and gathering corn. 

30. Tuesday. Cleared off. Ploughing and gathering corn. 

December 

1. Wednesday. Large party of ladies and gentlemen went 
down to Claremont. Mollie did not go in consequence of the 
illness of John's son Rannie and son Ned. Killed today 60 
hogs. Mr. Blake and John Hobson arrived. Lizzie Selden went 
down to son John's. Gave her $5.00. 

2. Thursday. Weighed hogs. The 60 weighed 8,573 lbs., an 
average of 141 lbs. The one we killed before weighed 88 lbs., 
making 8,561 lbs. killed. Cut them out and salted them up. Com- 
menced raining in evening and rained all night. 

3. Friday. Rained nearly all day. Plated shucks and drained 
some land. 

4. Saturday. Rained again. Gathered some corn. Paid Hart- 
well for running new chimney to Patrick's house, sent in letter to 
his master, 10 days at $2.00, $20.00, and $1.50 to Hartwell, 
$21.50. 

5. Sunday. Did not go to church. Rained a little. 

6. Monday. Rained all day. Did nothing. 

7. Tuesday. Same. 

8. Wednesday. Same. 

9. Thursday. Sent Oliver down again today to son John's 
to see how little Rannie is. Gave him $2.50. Cleared off cold 
and had very heavy frost and ice. Hauling out stable manure on 
Flying Point. 

10. Friday. Son Miles and Lizzie came from John's. Quite 
cold. Same work. 



280 Smith College Studies in History 

11. Saturday. My daughter Kittie, husband and children left 
for Richmond in steam boat. Fine day. 

12. Sunday. Rained. Did not attend church. Miles C. 7 and 
wife dined here. 

13. Monday. Rained all day steadily. Gathered in some corn 
in morning. John came. 

14. Tuesday. Cleared off but quite warm. Sent son William 
to Bloomfield Academy, $10.00 in letter. Gathering in corn, etc. 

15. Wednesday. Rained. Gathered in some corn and hauled. 
Son Miles left. My son James broke his arm at the elbow joint 
today jumping over the railing of my wharf on the shore. Sent 
for Doctor Minge and Cole to set it. 

16. Thursday. Doctor Crenshaw came down to steam boat on 
his way to court and stopped to assist in setting, etc., Jimmy's 
arm. Found it a bad fracture at the elbow joint. Sent Doctor C. 
down to court in my carriage. Gathering in corn, etc. 

17. Friday. Doctors consulted and determined to send son 
James up to Richmond to consult and get the assistance of Doctor 
Gibson. My wife went up with him to have her teeth examined. 
Paid to her, $5.00. Sold to Mr. Blake for Wm. Allen 10 sows and 
26 shoats, the 10 sows at $63.00, and the 26 shoats at $39.00— 
$102.00. 

18. Saturday. Received of John N. Shields for board, tui- 
tion, etc., of his daughter, $100.00. Saved 6 shoats for Doctor 
Osborne. Have on hand now for the next year 99 shoats and 
1 boar. 

19. Sunday. Attended the church with [ ?] family. Quite 
cold and cloudy. 

20. Monday. Rained all day moderately. Gathered in some 
corn, etc. 

21. Tuesday. Rained all day in torrents, the whole plantation 
covered with water. Assorted some corn, etc. 

22. Wednesday. Attended at son John's place, Beachland, to 
value Bradley's work there, etc. Fine day. Finished getting in 



' Probably Miles Cary or Crenshaw. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 281 

my corn today. Will have but little, say 75 barrels. Supposed my 
hogs ate about 200 barrels. 

23. Thursday. Paid Miss Mathilde Spielman, my teacher, 
this sum to go to Baltimore to see her mother — took her receipt — 
$100.00. Killed the balance of my hogs (37) this morning, mak- 
ing in all killed 98 hogs. Fine day. 

24. Friday. Weighed the 37 hogs and cut out and salted the 
same. The 37 hogs weighed 4,121 lbs., an average of 111^2 
lbs. The 98 hogs killed this year weighed 12,682 lbs., or an aver- 
age of 128% lbs. Salted them up, etc. Wm. Strange and 
mother came. Son John and his daughter Bessy left. Miss Spiel- 
man left for home. Paid to Fanny Shields $1.50 to go to Rich- 
mond with. 

25. Saturday. Xmas day. Sweet, fine spring day. Gave my 
negroes 20 bushels flour and as much fresh meat as they wanted 
for their Xmas. Mr. E. Miller and Mr. Ginter from Richmond 
came, as also Mr. Warner, of the army. Mrs. Strange and Wil- 
liam her son came on yesterday. Killed fine mutton on yesterday. 
Bought oysters, 4 bushels, $3.00. 

26. Sunday. All at home. Fine, sweet day. Had quite a dis- 
play last night of fire works, etc., brought down by Mr. Ginter. 

27. Monday. Sweet, fine day. Had a dinner party of some 
twenty persons. 

28. Tuesday. Mr. Ginter left. Fine day again. Some of the 
party dined at Berkley. 

29. Wednesday. The gentlemen dined at Mr. Rowlands. 
Commenced raining. Son John and Mr. Cabiness came on yester- 
day from Surry. 

30. Thursday. Mr. Miller and Lizzie Selden left for Rich- 
mond. Rained steadily all day. 

31. Friday. Rained all day steadily. My negroes went to 
work to assorting corn. 

1859 

January 

1. Saturday. Rained all day, a dreadful New Year. Assort- 
ing corn. 



282 Smith College Studies in History 

2. Sunday. Cleared off. Attended church. 

3. Monday. Snowed very hard this morning, which is the 
first we have had. Assorting corn and getting wood, etc. 

4. Tuesday. Snowed again last night about an inch. Getting 
wood, etc. 

5. Wednesday. Rained today and very hard at night. Every- 
thing covered with water. 

6. Thursday. Sent letter to Mrs. Saunders, my sister, enclos- 
ing an order on Selden and Miller for $150.00, the interest due 
them to January 1, 1859. Getting wood, etc. Qualified Mr. Hill 
Carter as Col. of this regiment and took his relinquishment to a 
deed. Let my man Robert go to Petersburg. 

7. Friday. Reed, of Selden and Miller this sum, $100, to 
pay Mr. McCabe, my teacher, which I paid to him. Turned 
colder. Wind S. W. 

8. Saturday. Let my man Miles go to Sussex. Gave him $1.00. 

9. Sunday. Very cold day. Wind N. W. 

10. Monday. Very cold. Preparing for ice, etc., by hauling 
pine boards, etc. 

11. Tuesday. Put in ice house 7 wagon loads of ice, \y 2 
inches thick from Mr. Rowland's pond. 

12. Wednesday. The weather moderated very much. Haul- 
ing ice with wagons and two ox-carts. 

13. Thursday. Filled ice-house to even with eaves — the one 
on the river. 

14. Friday. Getting wood and grubbing in new ground next 
marsh. 

15. Saturday. Grubbing and getting wood. 

16. Sunday. Attended church. 

17. Monday. Fine day. Grubbing with all hands but one 
wagoner and oxcarts. 

18. Tuesday. Same work, fine day. 

19. Wednesday. Same work. Hung up our bacon. Fine day. 

20. Thursday. Clouded up. Same work on farm. Clearing, 
etc. Had thunder storm at night and very heavy rain. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 283 

22. Saturday. Cleared off in morning and turned cooler. 
Clearing, etc. 

23. Sunday. Wind changed from S. W. to W. and N. in 
night, and blew very hard and turned very cold very suddenly. 
This morning ice everywhere. Very cold all day. 

24. Monday. Quite cold. Getting ice one inch thick. 

25. Tuesday. Hauled ice all day and half filled old ice 
house. Commenced thawing. 

26. Wednesday. Rev. Mr. McCabe came. Grubbing. 

27. Thursday. Rained steadily all day and night. Assorted 
corn. Measured up 72 barrels of good corn in all after fattening 
my hogs. We have nearly as much of the hog corn, very indiffer- 
ent. There never was a greater failure in corn crop before, I 
suppose, owing to the excessive drought and chinch bug. I sup- 
pose my entire crop from 130 acres could not have been over 
200 barrels of good corn. 

28. Friday. Rained all last night and all day today from S. 
W. Rev. Mr. McCabe left. 

29. Saturday. Very thick fog. Close and cloudy. Went up 
to Richmond in steam boat. Quite a freshet in river. Did not 
get up till late. Rained quite hard. Paid to get up, $2.00. 

30. Sunday. Remained in Richmond. 

31. Monday. Attended meeting of the executive committee 
of the Central [Agricultural] Society to take into consideration the 
purchase of the Fair Grounds. It was postponed until this day 
two weeks. Paid at Exchange Hotel for night and breakfast, 
$1.50. Fine day. Grubbing, etc., at home. 

February 

1. Tuesday. Sweet, fine weather. Paid for two novels, Wan- 
dering Seer and What Will He Do With It?, $2.00. Paid Mitchell 
and Tyler for repairing jewelry, $2.88. Paid for breakfast, etc., 
$1.00. Paid my subscription to Richmond Whist Club, $10.00. 

2. Wednesday. Returned home in Custis Peck. Glen Cove 
laid up for good, never to run again in this river: to be sold 1st 
March. Bought a wheat sower coming down for $10.00. Paid 



284 Smith College Studies in History 

freight on piano, hired at $3.00 per month, $1.00. Hack and 
servants, $1.50. Passage down, $1.50. Mr. Mays came down to 
tune my piano. Rained at night. 

3. Thursday. Foggy and rainy all day. 

4. Friday. Lent Mr. Mays my horse to go down to Brother 
William's. Grubbing, etc. 

5. Saturday. Same work, grubbing, etc. 

6. Sunday. Raining a little. Mr. Mays returned. 

7. Monday. Mr. Mays here, laid up with neuralgia in his 
face. No boat up today. Grubbing and hauling out hog pen 
manure on light land in Flying Point. 

8. Tuesday. Mr. Mays went up to Richmond. Commenced 
raining at eight and rained all night. Same work. 

9. Wednesday. Rained all day and all night. Shelled some 
corn. Blew very hard in night. 

10. Thursday. Clear and cold, wind North. Grubbing in new 
ground. Killed a very large fine beef. 

11. Friday. Grubbing with all hands in new ground. Quite 
cold. 

12. Saturday. Rained quite hard last night. Same work. 
Quite cold. 

13. Sunday. Bought oysters to amount of $2.50. Quite cold 
today. Snowed a little. 

14. Monday. Clear, fine day. All snow gone. 

15. Tuesday. Grubbing, etc. Clear. Sent son William $5.00 
at school, Bloomfield. 

16. Wednesday. Went down to Norfolk with daughter Mollie 
to see Captain Saunders. Paid fare, hack, etc., $5.00. Same work. 

17. Thursday. Remained in Norfolk. Paid pr. shoes for 
Mollie, $3.50. Paid for repairing watch for Ned, $2.00. Paid 
for tooth brushes and paper for children, $1.10. Paid Bloodgood 
for three dresses for Mollie, $8.56. Do. for two dresses for Miss 
Spielman, $2.75. Do. for daughter Maria scarf [?] $2.75. 
Total, $14.06. 

18. Friday. Rained all day. We dined at Mr. Paul's. Paid 
for hacks, $1.75. Same work, grubbing, etc. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 285 

19. Saturday. Returned home in steam boat. Paid fare up, 
$4.00. Paid for barrel oysters, $3.00 ; fish, $2.50 ; hack, $1.50 ; ser- 
vants, $1.50. Doctor Nelson and wife, Josephine and Sarah Sei- 
dell came from Doctor Selden's here. Bettie Saunders and little 
Mary came up with me. Fine day. Same work. Doctor Starke 
and wife came. 

20. Sunday. Roads too bad to go to church. All still here. 
Matilda had daughter today. 

21. Monday. Grubbing, etc. Fine day. 

22. Tuesday. Same. Doctor Starke left. I had a chill. 

23. Wednesday. Gave Ned this sum to go to a party at Bush- 
wood in Chas. City, $5.00. Fine day. Grubbing, etc. 

24. Thursday. Fine day. Same work. 

25. Friday. Rained all day long and all night. Shelling some 
corn, etc. Son John and Wm. Willson came and went. 

26. Saturday. Cleared off about 2 o'cl. Never saw more 
water than was on the land today. Grubbing, etc. 

27. Sunday. Sweet, fine day. All walked over to Berkley. 

28. Monday. Put all hands to cockling my wheat. Fine day. 

March 

1. Tuesday. Same work. Doctor Nelson, wife, and Sarah 
Selden left for Richmond after having spent ten days with us. 
The old gentleman is very feeble. Fine, sweet day. 

2. Wednesday. Sent my wagon for the corn bought of Mr. 
E. Ruffin, Jr., from Evelington. Brought home today 42 barrels. 
Quite cold. Had little ice. Cockling wheat. 

3. Thursday. Brought 10 barrels corn home today, making 
52 barrels, when it commenced raining from N. E. Paid Wm. 
Stagg this sum for shoeing my riding horse, $2.25. Rained all 
day, and at night in torrents. 

4. Friday. Cleared off in night. Had thunder storm and 
very heavy rain. Land all flooded in water. Grubbing small 
ravine near Flying Point. Son John, Mr. Cabiness, and Mr. 
Rowland staid here last night. 

5. Saturday. Cleared off. Hauled 42 barrels corn from Evel- 



286 Smith College Studies in History 

ington today, making 94 barrels. Cockling wheat : finished fallow- 
field. 

6. Sunday. Attended church with all my family. Roads al- 
most impassable. 

7. Monday. Rained all day very hard. Cleaned our offal 
wheat. Sold to Mr. Rowland for $1.25 for white and $1.00 for 
red. John Harrison here. 

8. Tuesday. Weighed and measured up our wheat. There is 
200 bushels and 13 lbs of white and 37 bushels and 10 lbs of red. 
White, $250 9^ cts. ; red, $287 \9y 2 . Cloudy all day. Rained 
very hard from 1 o'cl. till night. 

9. Wednesday. Clear, fine spring day. Trimming box in 
yard. Sent all my offal wheat to mill, 237 bushels 23 lbs. Putting 
up fence running to Berkley, dividing the fields. Paid Miss 
Spielman, my teacher, $30.00. 

10. Thursday. Finished renewing fence between fields lead- 
ing to Berkley, with new stobs, etc. Fine day. Mollie and I 
spent day at Miles Crenshaw's. Examined Keinage's [?] 
Bridge. 8 

11. Friday. Mending roads in plantation, etc., with all hands. 
Clouded up. Rained quite hard about day, and wind blew very 
hard during the night. 

12. Saturday. Cleared off after sunrise and sweet, mild day. 
Altering fence near grove to large oak tree and mending road in 
lane. Mr. Warner of the army came. 

13. Sunday. Sweet, fine day. 

14. Monday. Clouded up and commenced raining at 3 o'cl. 
from S. E. Running fence near pump at grove. Finished all my 
roads and rolled them. 

15. Tuesday. Rained all last night and blew very hard from 
S. and again this morning. Beating out some seed oats. 

16. Wednesday. Clear, fine day. Sowing my plaster on field 
next house at 1 bushel to the acre. Burning brush on new ground, 
etc. Mr. Ben Harrison and wife came here from Berkley. 



See below, April 21, 1859. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 287 

17. Thursday. Weighed 113 bacon hams and sent them up by 
Schultz. They weighed 1,458 lbs. They averaged not quite 13 
lbs. Settled with Mr. R. S. Rowland as follows: 200 bushels 
white wheat at $1.25, $250.00; 38 bushels and 23 lbs red at $1.00, 
$38.38. Total, $288.38. Mr. Rowland's bill rendered at this 
date for 6 barrels of flour, sawing timber, etc., $121.43, leaving 
$166.95. Forty-five fire proof bricks furnished Mr. R. at cost 
$2.70, total $169.65. Gave me an order on Selden and Miller for 
$169.65. I borrowed of John M. Ferguson of this county one 
thousand dollars at this date to be paid in September next with 
interest. Burning brush, etc. Hauled some logs from outer 
woods. 

18. Friday. Sent up Mr. Ferguson's check for $1,000.00 by 
son John and deposited the money in Va. Bank to my credit. 
This money is to pay for the 150 bis. of corn purchased of Mr. 
Ruffin, etc. Collected of Selden and Miller the amount of Mr. 
Rowland's draft, $169.65. Burning brush, etc., in new ground. 
Son John went up and returned from Richmond today on my 
horse. Blew a storm all day and at night a perfect hurricane. 
Rained in evening and night. 

19. Saturday. Blew a storm all day. Miss Patty Paul and 
her sister Nannie and Miss Mary Walters and Mr. Thomas Wil- 
liamson of the navy came from Norfolk. Rained at night. 

20. Sunday. Attended church in wagons, the roads too bad 
for a carriage. Broke down in the mud. Paid the Rev. Doctor 
Wade my subscription toward additions to the parsonage, $30.00. 
Quite cool today. 

21. Monday. Miss Spielman, my teacher, left for Baltimore 
to see her mother. Paid her in full to 1st March, $37.14, her 
wages being $35.00 a month. Mr. Williamson left for Norfolk. 
Worked on my roads, etc., on plantation. 

22. Tuesday. Commenced ploughing for oats and digging up 
carrots, etc. Cloudy. Sent check to Messrs. Brown and Tebbs, 
of Bloomfield Academy, for board and tuition of son William 
till July, $133.00. Check dated 21st, yesterday. Sent check to 



288 Smith College Studies in History 

Mr. E. Ruffin, Jr., for $600.00 for 150 barrels corn bought from 
him from Evelington at $4.00 per barrel. Check dated 21st also. 

23. Wednesday. Rained again last night quite hard and clear- 
ed off today and had sweet, fine day. Could not plough ; too wet. 
Getting up new ground, etc. Went down to John's with girls. 

24. Thursday. Cloudy — rain and thunder. Ploughed some 
in new ground. Miss Charlotte Wickham was married at Shirley 
on yesterday. 

25. Friday. Cloudy and rainy, ploughing new ground. Sent 
check to Tupman and Hull, of Richmond, for $80.75 in full for 
clothes purchased of them by son Edward. Sent check to Wm. 
Ira Smith, of Richmond, for suit clothes for self, $30.00; and 
two suits for sons Saunders and Army, $20.00. Ploughing new 
ground, etc. 

26. Saturday. Same work. Mrs. Taylor came. Fine day. 
Had quite a party to dinner, Mr. Wickham, etc. 

27. Sunday. Had quite a party again to dinner, some 20. 

28. Monday. Received letter from son Joseph announcing 
birth of another daughter. It was born on the 23rd at 5 o'clock 
in morning. Its name is to be Maria Langhorne. Commenced 
sewing clover seed. Sowed today next grove five bushels. Sowed 
to carrot patch by gum tree, about 40 acres. Sowed also 9 bushels 
oats in rows where the corn was stacked. Clouded up and threat- 
ening rain. 

29. Tuesday. Commenced raining again from E. N. E. and 
rained quite hard until about 10 o'cl. Grubbing, etc. Received 
letter from son Joseph announcing the birth of another daughter 
the morning of the 23rd at 5 o'cl. All well. 

30. Wednesday. Clear, fine day. My wife went down to 
Norfolk with Miss Paul, Miss Walters, and Mr. Warner. Gave 
my wife $30.00. Sowing clover seed with two hands. Getting 
up new ground, etc. 

31. Friday. Phillis had daughter born. Ploughing for oats 
and getting up new ground. Sweet, fine day. Sent son John 15 
bushels oats and 350 bricks. Finished seeding all my clover seed 
on wheat land, about 14 bushels. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 289 

April 

1. Friday. Had white frost this morning. Sent wagon out 
with six mules for some fenders for my wharf. Ploughing and 
dragging for oats, etc. Sweet, fine day. 

2. Saturday. Paid Doctor Jno. Minge his medical bill for 
last year in check, $62.00. Gave servant Miles this sum to go to 
see his wife in Sussex, $1.50. Finished ploughing oat-land (corn 
rows) and rolling and dragging. Finished seeding all my oats, 
about 20 bushels on about 20 acres. 

3. Sunday. Rained in torrents from 12 o'cl. last night till 
day this morning. Cloudy nearly all day. 

4. Monday. Rained again last night. Getting up Mullen out 
of clover field and cresses, etc. Son Edward went up to Rich- 
mond to have a fistula taken out. Gave him $20.00. 

5. Tuesday. Finished getting up mullen out of clover, as like- 
wise cresses, etc., and started to hauling out hog pen manure for 
corn. Finished hauling 7 large white oak fenders from outer 
woods for my wharf. Turned quite cold. Wind N. W. 

6. Wednesday. Had ice this morning l / 2 inch : quite cold. 
Hauling out manure on light land in Flying Point field. 

7. Thursday. Had little ice again this morning. Wind shift- 
ed from N. W. to S. W. and turned warmer. My wife returned 
from Norfolk. She spent the $30.00 I gave her and $35.41 at J. 
I. Bloodgood's, making $65.41. Started wagons and 3 ox-carts 
to hauling out stable manure on light land. 

8. Friday. Hauling manure on light land in Flying Point 
with 4 wagons and 3 ox-carts all day. Went over to son John's. 
Turned very cold about 3 o'cl. Wind shifted very suddenly from 
S. to N. and blew very hard. 

9. Saturday. Had little ice this morning. Started 3 four- 
horse ploughs in light land in Flying Point. One wagon and 2 
ox-carts hauling manure. Quite cold all day. 

10. Sunday. Commenced raining last night from S. and rain- 
ed nearly all day today. 

11. Monday. Rained little in morning and then cleared off 
beautifully. Ploughing light land, hauling out manure, etc. 



290 Smith College Studies in History 

12. Tuesday. Rained again last night. Cleared off, and had 
warm, fine day. Son John's family came. Finished light land 
ploughing and started on new ground, ploughing, hauling out 
manure, etc. 

13. Wednesday. Had April showers most day. Ploughing 
new ground, hauling out hog-pen manure, etc. Mr. Wm. Thomas 
came to fix my wharf. 

14. Thursday. Thomas driving fenders to my wharf. Har- 
rowing new ground with 5 horse harrows. Hauling and scattering 
farm pen manure on hillside back barn, etc. Son John's family 
left for home. 

15. Friday. Wm. Thomas finished my wharf. Drove 7 new 
fenders and fixed wharf up, etc. Paid him for same in an order 
on Selden and Miller for $28.00. Dragging new ground and 
hauling out manure, etc. John H. Harrison died this morning 
from drink at his house Cedar Hill. 

16. Saturday. Buried John H. Harrison at Berkley. Har- 
rowing corn land and hauling out manure, etc. Mr. Wm. A. 
Johnston, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, came to see me. Doctor Wm. 
Christian, John H. Harrison's brother-in-law, died today. Very 
pleasant day. 

17. Sunday. Rained a little and hailed a little last night. Quite 
cold. Roads too bad to attend church. 

18. Monday. Very cold and windy from North. Fear frost 
and freeze tonight. Harrowing corn land and hauling out manure, 
etc. Mr. Wm. A. Johnstone left for Shirley. 

19. Tuesday. Had very heavy frost this morning which 
killed the potato vines, etc. Started to ploughing again for corn 
in Flying Point. Stopped hauling out manure on clover and put 
oxen to hauling trash, wood, etc., off new ground, preparatory to 
liming the land. Quite cool all day. 

20. Wednesday. Ploughing all day with four four'-horse 
ploughs. Hauling out and scattering manure on new ground, etc. 
Turned milder. 

21. Thursday. Attended court. Let out Keinenages [ ?] 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 291 

Bridge 9 to Jas. W. Binford for $90.00 for seven years. Paid 
at C. H., $1.00. Same work. Fine day. 

22. Friday. Paid Mr. McCabe, my teacher, this sum to go to 
Hampton to meet his father, etc., $20.00. Paid Jas. Thomas for 
ducks this winter past over my half $11.00. Finished hauling out 
all my lime, about 600 bushels. Mrs. Paxton came and went 
from son John's. Had awful storm of rain and wind in evening. 
Wm. Strange arrived from Richmond. 

23. Saturday. Blew a storm all night and rained. Continued 
blowing and raining all day. Never saw a harder wind all day. 
Assorting and selecting seed corn, etc. A lighter sunk opposite 
house from the high wind. 

24. Sunday. Wind blew all night : cleared off this evening 
and fine, windy day. The wheat, which was all prostrated by the 
storm of Friday, evening, has very much risen from the winds, 
etc. Feared my crop was ruined. 

25. Monday. Easter Holiday. Went down to Brother Wil- 
liam's, Kittiewan. Fine day. 

26. Tuesday. Started all my drags to dragging the last 
ploughing and rolling the same. Very cloudy. Hauling out some 
lime on light land, etc. Went up to John Harrison's to look for 
his will, but could not find it. Quite cold — frost. 

27. Wednesday. Mrs. Wm. Green and daughter Pattie came. 
Cloudy all day and in evening had thunder and lightning and 
heavy rain. Harrowing in morning and commenced running fence 
across the marsh in Cameron field to shorten it, etc. 

28. Thursday. Wind N. E. Cloudy and raining. Rained very 
hard last night. Land wetter than I have seen it this year. Run- 
ning fence around on marsh (house field) to keep my hogs in. 
Hauling rails from outer woods, etc. 

29. Friday. Hauling out farm pen-manure on clover with 
ex-carts. Four wagons hauling rails from outer woods. Haul 
two loads each, 100 at a load, or 800 a day. Running fence, etc., 



See above, March 10, 1859. 



292 Smith College Studies in History 

to enclose hogs. Taken off from clover field 30 acres for hogs. 
Mrs. Paxton and family came. 

30. Saturday. Same work ; fine day. 

May 

1. Sunday. Sweet, fine day. Church day. Gave out negroes' 
allowance. 

2. Monday. Harrowing corn land with everything. Rolling 
ditto and marking off for corn rows, etc. Finished fence across 
clover for hogs, etc. Had frost this morning. Mrs. Paxton of 
N. C. left with her two daughters. 

3. Tuesday. Quite cool this morning. Harrowing and laying 
off for corn, etc. My daughter Mollie and myself leave home 
today for Goochland (J. D. Hobson's.) Paid passage, etc., up 
to Richmond, $4.50. 

4. Wednesday. Checked balance of money in Va. Bk., $74.25. 
Gave my daughter Mollie $5.00. Spent myself in fruit, candies, 
etc., for Kittie's children, $3.50. Gave daughter Lizzie a dress 
from Price's at $10.00, as likewise Mollie. Went up in evening 
in packet boat to daughter Kittie's in Goochland. Preparing for 
corn, etc. 

5. Thursday. Arrived at Howard's Neck at 4:30 o'cl. Found 
all well. Commenced planting corn today. 

6. Friday. Remained at Howard's Neck. Planting corn, etc., 
at home. 

7. Saturday. Same. 

8. Sunday. Remained at Howard's Neck. 

9. Monday. Same. 

10. Tuesday. Same. Planting corn, etc. Was to have gone 
down to Richmond, but was taken sick. 

11. Wednesday. Took medicine. Rained last night and today 
a little. Same work. 

12. Thursday. Left Howard's Neck for Richmond in even- 
ing. Same work at home. 

13. Friday. Arrived at Richmond at 5 o'cl. Finished plant- 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 293 

ing my corn late this evening. Planted about 2 or 3 acres in 
sugar cane. 

14. Saturday. Remained in Richmond. Worked on main 
road. 

15. Sunday. Same. Attended church twice. Heard young 
Mr. Wise preach. 

16. Monday. Remained in Richmond to visit new fair grounds. 
Hauling out manure on clover. Sheared my sheep. Gave daughter 
Mollie this sum, $5.00. Paid Tupman and Hull for frock coat for 
Channing, $10.50. Paid Meade and Baker for medicines, $1.25. 

17. Tuesday. Commenced raining last night from N. E. and 
rained all day today. I went out to Ashland races today. Haul- 
ing out manure on clover. 

18. Wednesday. Returned home with Mollie. Rained hard all 
day. Paid fare on Glen Cove home, etc., $4.50. Gave servants at 
Miles's, $1.00. Ditto at Howard's Neck, $1.00. 

19. Thursday. Attended court and sat on the bench all day. 
Rained very hard in evening. Returned home in rain. Hauling 
out manure. 

20. Friday. Sent this sum in letter to son William, at Bloom- 
field Academy, for pocket money, $10.00. Gave to my wife for 
Miss Eissy Barnes, $5.00. Rained all day from S. W. 

21. Saturday. John Hobson and his family arrived here. 
Rained again in morning. Cleared off about 1 o'cl. Mr. Hill 
Carter and Mr. John Wickham dined here. Hauling out ma- 
nure, etc. 

22. Sunday. Still cloudy and raining. This may be put down 
as the rainy season. Arrena, Mary's daughter, had a daughter 
today. Wheat rusted on blades. 

23. Monday. Cleared off, but quite cool. Hauling out farm 
pen-manure on clovered land in bottom between barn and house. 

24. Tuesday. Hauling out farm pen-manure, etc. Quite cool. 
Spent day at son John's with Mr. Hobson, etc. Had little frost 
this morning. 

25. Wednesday. Quite cool. Finished hauling out farm pen- 
manure on clover. Commenced hauling out kitchen-manure, 



294 Smith College Studies in History 

ashes, etc., on corn next Flying Point. Coultering up cow-pens, 
etc. Frost again. 

26. Thursday. Attended election at Ladd's Store. Voted for 
John Letcher for Governor, J. R. Tucker for attorney-general, 
and R. L. Montague for lieut.-governor. Commenced ploughing 
corn in light land, re-planting, etc. Army worms made their ap- 
pearance. Mr. Robt. B. Boiling came here on yesterday with his 
son John and left today. 

27. Friday. Had large dinner party. Dined some 20 persons. 
Ploughing corn and re-planting, etc. Quite cool. Had rain and 
wind in evening and night. Blew the wheat down, etc. 

28. Saturday. Ploughing and weeding corn, etc. 

29. Sunday. Attended church. My wife was confirmed by 
Bishop Johns. Gave to domestic missions this sum, $1.00. 

30. Monday. My daughter Kittie left us for Norfolk. My 
son Edward went up to Richmond to see Doctor Crenshaw about 
his fistula, etc. Gave him, $7.50. Mr. Hobson left for home. 
Ploughing and weeding corn. 

31. Tuesday. Nannie Selden (my brother's wife), Teny 
Heath, and Lizzie Selden came from Norfolk here. Fine day. 
Army worm eating up my wheat : wherever fallen down, almost 
eaten up. 

June 

1. Wednesday. Finished weeding out light land last evening 
and commenced in ditch by gate. Cloudy and much warmer. 

2. Thursday. Ploughing and weeding corn. My daughter 
Kittie returned from Norfolk. Very warm day. 

3. Friday. Had little rain this morning with lightning and 
thunder. Weeding corn, etc. At night we had a most terrific 
storm of lightning, thunder, hail, rain, etc., from S. W. Thought 
house and everything was gone. 

4. Saturday. Wheat very much prostrated from storm, and 
trees blown down everywhere. Those in yard very much torn 
to pieces. Paid Polly for 17 chickens, $2.84. Thinned corn. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 295 

Land too wet to work. Mr. Hobson returned from his home. 
Cold. 

5. Sunday. Turned very cold. Put on winter clothes and had 
fires. But for wind would have had frost. Had little frost in 
back country from river. Attended church again. 

6. Monday. Ploughing and weeding corn. Quite cool. 

7. Tuesday. Mr. Benyer Miller came. Same work. Had 
little rain. 

8. Wednesday. Same work. Cloudy, etc. 

9. Thursday. Mr. Miller, his daughter and son, left. Dined 
at Berkley with Mr. E. Miller. 

10. Friday. Cloudy and threatening rain. Finished ploughing 
over my corn on yesterday. Mr. Wm. Boiling, of Petersburg, 
Mr. E. Miller, and Doctor Starke dined with us. Weeding corn, 
etc. 

11. Saturday. Ploughing and weeding, etc. Gus Crenshaw 
and family came here. Received of Selden and Miller for har- 
vest, $100.00. 

12. Sunday. Quite cool this morning. Discovered some rust 
on stalk of late wheat. 

13. Monday. Enclosed this sum in letter to son William, at 
Tibbs and Brown's School, Albemarle County, Va., for him to 
return home with Whitsunday, $10.00. Did not give Whitsunday 
holiday today. Working my corn, etc. Wheat nearly ripe. Mr. 
A. Crenshaw and family came. 

14. Tuesday. Working out my corn and ploughing ditto with 
one furrow thrown to it. Mr. Miller came. Laid by my light 
land corn (16 acres) with peas. 

15. Wednesday. Same. Mrs. Crenshaw had baby here, a 
miscarriage : 8 months child, which lived only a few hours. 

16. Thursday. Attended court. Sat on bench all day. County 
levy, $1.70. Paid at C. H. $1.00. Finished my corn weeding 
and ploughing for present. Cut little wheat in evening with 
cradles. 

17. Friday. Cut some corn-land early-purple straw-wheat 
with reaper. Cut about 15 acres when we had a dreadful rain and 



296 Smith College Studies in History 

wind from north. Blew down all the wheat and feared we were 
ruined in the wheat way. Doctor McCabe came. 

18. Saturday. Cleared off beautifully and had fine day for 
cutting. Cut down a very heavy piece of wheat on river next 
Berkley (about 18 acres), and got most of it up. Have three 
hirelings. Mr. E. Miller left for Claremont. I was taken quite 
sick with disordered bowels from getting wet on yesterday and 
eating raspberries and milk. 

19. Sunday. Quite sick today. Could not arrest my disease 
until I drank boiled milk and raspberry leaves in buds boiled in it. 
Have found it a sovereign remedy before. Rev. Doctor McCabe 
preached at our church. Cloudy. Mr. Crenshaw came and left. 
His wife here still. 

20. Monday. Rained very hard from N. E. all the morning. 
Cut wheat through it. Gave Mr. W. G. McCabe, my teacher, this 
amount to go to Old Point with his father, $20.00. 

21. Tuesday. Cut all day on piece next river, etc. Rained in 
evening threatened a severe storm. 

22. Wednesday. Cut with two reapers nearly all day, one 
way, throwing machine out of gear and cutting only one way as 
wheat was so fallen down. Saved it much better. Rained again. 
Wheat about to sprout. 

23. Thursday. Cut some corn land in morning and then moved 
into fallow. Threatening rain but did not have much. Wheat 
very heavy. 

24. Friday. Finished hillside facing river and commenced 
after breakfast on fence running to Berkley, running two machines 
one way and dragging back. Threatening a storm from East, but 
passed off. Stopped about one hour (by sun) and shocked all up. 
Cut about 20 acres of my heavy, fallen-down wheat. 

25. Saturday. Cut nearly all day with two machines one way 
and finished cutting and shocking my fallow, or all that is not 
in Stork's first cut. Had fine day, although the morning was very 
close and threatened rain and a storm. Have cut 100 acres of 
the heaviest fallow I ever saw. Most of it tumbled and had to 
cut with the machine only one way, and about 20 acres of corn 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 297 

land. Have 100 acres now to cut. I believe but for the fallows 
tumbling and the army worm it would certainly have averaged 40 
bushels to the acre. Have had 8 hirelings. 

26. Sunday. Sweet, fine day. 

27. Monday. Commenced cutting my purple-straw wheat on 
corn land. Cut all day well. Fine day. 

28. Tuesday. Finished my purple-straw and cut in evening 
next well in old grove on land. Wheat equal to fallow. Fine day. 

29. Wednesday. Cutting white wheat next grove. Cut up- 
wards of 25 acres. Fine day. 

30. Thursday. Finished cutting all my wheat by 4 o'cl., and 
shocked it all up next grove. Had 8 of son John's hands on 
yesterday and today. We have cut 100 acres since Monday morn- 
ing averaging upwards of 25 acres with one machine. This is 
decidedly the best crop of wheat I have ever made or ever saw. 
But for its having tumbled, and the army worm, I do believe the 
crop would have averaged 35 bushels to the acre (220 acres). As 
it is I think it will average 30. The rust I think has injured my 
purple-straw wheat considerably. I got today this sum from Allen 
Bradley for draft on Selden and Miller, $50.00, and paid my 
hirelings. 

George, a cutter from Petersburg, at 9-2 10 per day $ 19.00 

Woman picker-up at 7-6 per day 8.75 

Daniel, picker at 4-6 per day 10.87*/2 

Archer, ditto at do 10.87^ 

Willis Jackson, shocker at 7-6 per day 10.62 

William or Billy, do at do 11.25 

Walter, do at do 11.25 

Joe, do at do 11.25 

John, boy carrier at 2-3 per day 3.00 

Archer's brother at do 2.63 

Paid son John's men (4 cutters and 4 pickers for 

one day) 9.00 

$108.50 

10 I am unable to determine what Mr. Selden means by "9-2 per day." 
It is a form he uses nowhere else in the Journal, and no guess of mine fits 
the probabilities. — Editor. 



298 Smith College Studies in History 

CHAPTER III 
Abridged Journal, July 1, 1859 to May 24, 1864 
July 

1. Friday. . . . Gave my man Miles this sum to go to 
see his wife in Sussex, $1.50. All hands shocking wheat, which 
will soon be finished, and then have promised them the rest of the 
week. . . . Finished shocking up all my wheat by 10 o'cl. 

2. Saturday. My negroes have holiday. Was engaged nearly 
all day in trying Mary Slater for breaking open Joseph Camp's 
house. Acquitted her. Tried her at Rowland's Mill. Paid my 
negroes for work, $3.75. 

3. Sunday. . . . Hired 5 of my negroes to glean wheat 
and plough yesterday. . . . 

7. Thursday. Paid free woman, Indiana, for sewing, etc., 
for one month and 8 days work, $18.60. 

8. Friday. Went down to Old Point with my daughter Mollie, 
Josephine Selden, and Miss Eliza Carter. Found Old Point very 
full. . . . 

12. Tuesday. Dined with large party at Mr. Geo. Booker's 
on back river. Had magnificent entertainment. Very warm day. 
Hired an omnibus to go out. . . . 

13. Wednesday. The same party dined with Doctor Semple, 
in Hampton. 

16. Saturday. Returned home. [Bill for his, Mollie's, and 
Josephine Selden's expenses, including incidentals, is entered at 
$91.00]. 

18. Monday. Paid my wife what she paid Miss Julia Craw- 
ford, who came here to be employed as a teacher in my family, 
$20.00. 

21. Thursday. . . . Attended court. Was all day on 
bench, the trial of Col. Wilcox's house-servant for poisoning his 
son Lasuh [ ?] Wilcox with corrosive sublimate. He was con- 
demned, but by the dissent of one magistrate (Hubbard), to be 
transported. . . . 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 299 

22. Friday. Paid Mr. W. Gordon McCabe in full for teach- 
ing my children the past year. Paid him today in order on Selden 
and Miller, $100.00. Ditto in order on John N. Shields, due me 
for his daughter Fannie, $100.00, cash $10.00, [Total], $210.00; 
which, with $140.00 previously paid him, makes the full sum 
of $350.00 Mr. McCabe left for home. Paid off four of my 
hirelings from Petersburg. . . 

[The entry showing that the rate was $4.00 for six and a 
half day's work.] 

23. Saturday. I was all day attending a special court. Set 
on the bench 9 hours. Trial of John Walker's woman, Mary, for 
breaking open John Slater's house. Punished her with stripes. 

[From this time until August 25, Mr. Selden was busy thresh- 
ing wheat. He put his entire yield at 5,800 bushels. While the 
threshing was in progress a vessel arrived to take it to market. 
The greater part of the crop was sold at Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co., 
of Richmond at $1.50 a bushel.] 

August 

22. Monday. Received of Messrs. Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co., 
this sum in part for wheat, $3,000, which, with draft in favor of 
Selden and Miller for $750, makes the sum of $3,750 drawn from 
them on wheat. The following sums were paid out of the above : 
Paid to Harriet Barbour, of Philadelphia, all interest money due 
her to 5th August, 1859; sent to her by Selden and Miller, $240; 
Paid to Robert M. Taylor this sum, being all interest due him to 
5th Sept., 1859, and part principal, making the sum now due him 
on 5th Sept. next, $4,000, $506.28 ; paid John M. Fergusson this 
sum in check, it being $1,000 loaned me on 17th March last, and 
interest to 1st Sept., $1,027.25; paid John Dooley for hat for 
self, $4.00, and cap for son William, $5.50 [in all] ; paid Mitchell 
and Tyler for some plate given Betty Orgain when married, 
$50, and repairing pin, etc., $50.63 ; paid Saml. Price and Co. for 
dry goods in full to 1st July, $133.94; paid Putney and Watts in 
full for shoes to date, $188.75 ; paid Caldwell and Co., of Rich- 



300 Smith College Studies in History 

mond, fof clod crusher, $135; paid P. Johnston and Bro. for 
medicine, $11.75; paid my wife, $50; paid son Edward in part of 
his wages, $150; paid Meade and Baker for some things for 
Mollie, $1; paid my daughter Mollie, in Richmond, $10; paid 
to servant Oliver for shoes, $2.50. 

23. Tuesday. . . . Left Richmond for the White Sul- 
phur Springs with daughter Mollie and servant Oliver. . . . 

24. Wednesday. . . . Arrived at White Sulphur to 
dinner. . . 

27. Saturday. Fixing up all the fences so as to turn all my 
hogs and cattle in the two fields from which we have taken wheat. 

28. Sunday. ... At White Sulphur Springs. Said to be 
1,600 persons here. . . . 

September 

8. Thursday. Left White Sulphur for a trip to the North 
with daughter Mollie. Paid bill at White Sulphur (15 days for 
Mollie, myself, and servant Oliver), $75. 

[This trip extended through Washington, Baltimore, Phila- 
delphia, New York, Albany, and as far as Niagara Falls, and 
lasted until October 1.] 

October 

1. Saturday. . . . Arrived at home about 12 o'cl. and 
found all well. The fallow field of 125 acres was finished on the 
17th, and they had nearly finished harrowing it all over. It was in 
beautiful order. I left home on the 20th August and returned 
today, just 6 weeks. There had been no sickness scarcely during 
my absence. My son Edward, my manager, took a trip to the 
mountains for a week and then went North as far as Niagara for 
two weeks. My wife and son Channing managed the farm dur- 
ing my absence. All went on well. The season for fallowing 
was the best I have ever known. It rained constantly during the 
whole time, so that the land was never too hard. . . 

3. Monday. Commenced seeding wheat in house field next 
dividing fence at 10 o'cl. Seeded today \6 l /> acres and 29^ 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 301 

bushels wheat. Ran two drills — white wheat. Finished harrow- 
ing. 

11. Tuesday. . . . Settled with Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co. 
for my wheat as follows : 4,618 bushels, 50 lbs., at $1.50, $6,928.25 ; 
deduct freight and charges at 4 cts., $184.75, $6,743.50. . . . 

17. Monday. Paid Jas. Hubbard my taxes for this year, 
$275.60. Credit by levy, $19.50 ; gave order on Selden and Miller 
for $256.10. . . . 

19. Wednesday. . . . My nurse Mary returned from Rich- 
mond. Had 3 teeth extracted. Got account of the insurrection at 
Harper's Ferry. Cut down and stacked up corn rest of day. 

November 

1. Tuesday. Attended sale at Cedar Hill, John H. Harrison's. 
Mr. Hill Carter purchased the estate, 522 acres, for $18,700, 
equal to cash. I purchased 6 single ploughs, 6 double shovels, and 
old harrow and reaper. . . . 

6. Sunday. Had all twelve of my children here to dinner, 
with Miles Crenshaw and wife. Quite warm day. All attended 
church. 

7. Monday. Had large dining party today. All my 12 chil- 
dren present. Dined some 30 persons. Ploughing and shocking 
up corn, etc. 

17. Thursday. Attended court and dined at A. P. Crenshaw's. 
Got up a troop of cavalry. Elected Robt. Karothat [ ?] captain, 
Thos. Wilcox 1st and Archer Taylor 2nd Lieutenants. 

19. Saturday. Paid my negroes this sum for 2,100 lbs. of 
fodder at 75 cents, $15.75. 1 . . . 

21. Monday. . . . Hear dreadful accounts of the Harper's 
Ferry insurrection. The abolitionists about to rescue old John 
Brown. . . . 

29. Tuesday. Miss Eliza Carter, of Shirley, was married at 



1 This is the first mention of fodder, either the pulling or use of it. 
The small amount here mentioned seems to indicate that in general it was 
only saved with the stalks. The negroes seem to have had the privilege of 
gathering and selling fodder to the master. 



302 Smith College Studies in History 

eight to Mr. John Wickham. I attended the wedding with some 
of my family and returned home about 2 o'cl. at night. Gave to 
servants there, 75 cents. Had a large company. I invited them all 
to dinner next Thursday. Gathering in corn and ploughing, etc. 
Fine weather. . . . 

December 

1. Thursday. Had our dinner party given to Mr. John Wick- 
ham and Eliza Carter. Dined 52 persons. Had the most magni- 
ficent dinner I ever saw. I paid Captain Gifford of steamer 
Glen Cove this sum for fish, oysters, and crabs, $6.88. Gathered 
in corn, ploughed, etc. The party left us about 11 o'cl. at night 
in little steamer Cornet. 

2. Friday. Old John Brown, the mover and head of the in- 
surrection at Harper's Ferry, was hung today. Paid George 
and Simon at Berkley for assisting us as servants at dinner party, 
$2.50. . . . 

8. Thursday. Killed today 55 hogs. Very cold day. 

9. Friday. Weighed, cut out and salted up our hogs. The 55 
weighed 9,836 lbs., or an average of nearly 180 lbs. Have 26 
more to kill. Turned out four sows that were very forward 
with pigs. . . . Weighed and cut up a hog I gave my man 
Dick. It weighed 178 lbs. It was a small pig I gave him last 
winter. 

10. Saturday. Moved my hog pen across the road so that 
I might plough the lot all up, and thought it would be a benefit 
to change the rest of the killing hogs. Fixed a shelter against 
brick wall of grave yard for my pigs and gathered in some corn, 
etc. . . . 

1860 
January 

5. Thursday. Getting ice. Wind shifted from S. W. to 
North last night and turned very cold. Ice today near six inches 
thick. . . . 

6. Friday. Finished filling both my ice houses this morning 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 303 

and filled Doctor Minge's. The ice put in new house on the river 
near 6 inches thick and very clear and solid. River completely 
blocked up. Could skate on the river. Turned warm in the 
evening. 

7. Saturday. Much warmer ; ice melting ; cloudy. I went up 
to Wm. A. Harrison's and Hill Carter's to take their relinquish- 
ments to deeds for Cedar Hill estate. Very bad traveling. Dined 
at Wm. H.'s. Rained in evening. 

9. Monday. . . . Punished Anthony and Thomas for 
stealing a sow. 

11. Wednesday. Miss Pattie and Nannie Paul left us for 
Norfolk after having been here 14 days. Clear and quite mild. 
Gathered in corn and hauled logs to mill to be sawed up in pail- 
ings, plank for blacksmith shop, and for large double quarter. 

12. Thursday. . . . Bettie and Mary Saunders came from 
Norfolk. . . . 

16. Monday. Killed 8 hogs more today, which finishes our 
killing for this year, making 78 hogs killed. 

17. Tuesday. Weighed and salted up the 8 hogs. They 
weighed 1,039 lbs., or an average of 130 lbs. The 78 hogs 
weighed 13,030 lbs., and an average of 167 lbs.,— 348 lbs. more 
than we killed last year, and just 20 hogs less than last year. 

30. Monday. Took steamboat for Richmond with Mollie and 
servant Oliver on our way south. Got check of Selden and 
Miller to the amount of $1,000. Nat Cocke came here to school. 

[This visit to the South took Mr. Selden to the home of his 
son Joseph Selden, at Union Town, Alabama. Thence he went 
to Mobile and New Orleans and returned to Westover on April 9, 
by way of the Mississippi to Memphis, and thence by railroad to 
Richmond. Throughout the trip the Journal recounts the happen- 
ings at Westover day by day, as well as the things seen and 
done by the diarist on his travels.] 

February 

1. Wednesday. Arrived at Charleston, S. C, about 10 o'cl. 
today and attended the races. Bad weather at W T estover : rained, 



304 Smith College Studies in History 

hailed, and snowed. Could do no work out-doors except feed 
stock. . . . 

6. Monday. . . . Left Charleston for Alabama. . . . 
Paid railroad fare from Charleston to Montgomery, Alabama, 
2]/ 2 seats, $42.50. . . . 

8. Wednesday. Arrived at Montgomery. . . . Paid fare 
on steamboat St. Charles to Selma, $6.50. . . . 

9. Thursday. Arrived at Selma. Stayed all night in a 
miserable hotel. Paid $3.00. Paid railroad fare to son Joe's, 
$3.75. 

10. Friday. . . . Found Joe and wife at home. He has a 
fine estate and beautiful dwelling not quite finished. . . . 

11. Saturday. Paid for gloves in Union Town for self, 
$1.50. . . . 

14. Tuesday. We went from son Joe's to Mr. Geo. Minge's. 

21. Tuesday. Left Geo. Minge's for son Joe's. Paid Geo. 
Minge's servants, $4.25. . . . 

23. Thursday. . . . Left son Joe's for Selma, on our way 
to Mobile in company with Joe and wife, Geo. Minge, and 
others. . . 

25. Saturday. . . . Arrived in Mobile. . . . 

27. Monday. Paid for silver egg-cup, spoon, etc., for son 
Joe's daughter Maria, as a present, $13.00. Paid for hack to ride 
on shell road, $5.00. . . . 

March 

1. Thursday. Left Mobile for New Orleans in fine steamer 
Cuba. 

2. Friday. Paid servants and railroad at New Orleans, $1.25. 
Paid omnibus to St. Charles Hotel, $1.25. . . . 

3. Saturday. . . . Gave to servant Oliver, to go to 
Franklin on the Tash [Tech] to see his mother, in Attakapas, $10. 

6. Tuesday. Paid for hack to Mr. Penn's party N. O., $4.00. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 305 

9. Friday. We left New Orleans for Mr. Burnside's, in 
the steamboat D. A. Kcnner, on the coast 75 miles above New 
Orleans. . . . Mr. Burnside would pay all our expenses up 
and down. . . . 

16. Friday. Left Mr. Burnside's estate for New Orleans. 
Gave his servants, $5.00. . . . 

21. Wednesday. Paid my bill at St. Charles Hotel to leave 
for Mr. Wilkins's, in the Attakapas country, $28. . . . Ar- 
rived at Mr. Wilkins's, on the Tash, about 4 o'cl. Found them 
all well and [received] a hearty welcome. . . . 

22. Thursday. ... I was taken sick this evening at Mr. 
Wilkins's from eating too many oranges, etc. Had colera. 

23. Friday. Very sick today. Nothing I could take would 
check the disease. . . . 

24. Saturday. Doctor Lyman, of Franklin, attended me and 
checked my disease in a measure. . . . 

27. Tuesday. Paid Doctor Lyman, for attending me three 
times at Mr. Wilkins's, $9. I was very sick. Took eight doses 
of calomel and blue mass with opium. The doctor salivated me 
and said I was very near dying. . . . Paid hack to St. 
Charles, $1.50. . . . 

31. Saturday. We left New Orleans this evening at 5 o'cl. for 
Memphis in steamer John Raine. . . . 

April 

2. Monday. Going up the Mississippi in the John Raine, with 
a nice party and fine band music. . . . 

4. Wednesday. . . . We arrived at Memphis about 5 o'cl. 
in the evening, having been four days and four nights coming 
up the river to Memphis, a distance of 800 miles altogether. We 
had a nice time. Fine boat, and the most accommodating manager 
I have ever seen. The fare on board splendid. She was com- 
manded by Captain Goodman. We went to the Gayoso Hotel, a 
very good one. . . . 

9. Monday. . . . Arrived at home about 10 o'cl. and 
found all well except Burwell my Smith. My entire expenses 



306 Smith College Studies in History 

while away (2 mo., 12 dys.) were as above, $761.55 — $252.55 of 
which was for pin, dresses, etc., not necessary expenses. I started 
from home with 30 dollars, got of Selden and Miller, $1,000 
and brought back $268.45. We had a charming trip and would not 
have missed it on any account. Our visit to Mr. Burnside's 
splendid estate of Horomas [?], 75 miles above the city of New 
Orleans, is probably the largest and most splendid sugar estate 
in the world. He has expended $2,000,000 in land and negroes. 
We were there eight days. He paid our expenses up and down 
from there and we were treated with more kindness and hospitality 
than I ever received in my life. We found all well at Westover, 
except my smith, Burwell, who has suffered very much with 
inflammatory rheumatism and is still confined with it. Harrowing 
corn land and preparing to lay off, etc. Fine weather. . . . 

11. Wednesday. . . . Not being able to haul out our 
straw in time on clover, I set fire to the large rick in field so as 
plant the land in corn. I have found that unless straw is gotten 
out in the winter on clover it is injurious to the wheat. We 
burnt the straw from four or five thousand bushels wheat. . . . 

24. Tuesday. Vessel arrived here last night for my corn. Put 
all hands to shelling it out today. Selden and Miller have sold it 
to Bevan and Bro., of Petersburg, at 75 cents per bushel at 
landing. . . . 

27. Friday. Finished shelling our sale-corn, today by 12 
o'cl., 500 barrels. We had 550 barrels measured up for sale, but 
some of it was mouldy and had to throw it one side for horse 
corn and hogs. Started three fans to getting it ready. Ran it 
over the board. . . . 

30. Monday. Finished delivering my corn to schooner E. and 
M. G. Simpson, Captain Bailey Sperill, in all 2,663 38-56 bushels. 
. . . amounting to $1,997.25. We sold on Friday last 5 barrels 
corn to Doctor Wm. Cole, amount, $18.75 ; so that the amount of 
corn sold is $2,016. . . . 

May 

8. Tuesday. Mr. Corcoran, of Washington (the banker), Mr. 
Sargent, of New York, and Mr. Fay, of Massachusetts, dined 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 307 

with me. Came up in boat from Claremont and left in evening 
for Shirley. Had a magnificent dinner. . . . 

16. Wednesday. Weighed 92 hams of bacon to be sent up 
to Selden and Miller to be sold. The 92 hams weighed 1,500 lbs., 
net. . . . 

17. Thursday. Attended court, being my month to set on the 
bench. . . . 

20. Sunday. Sweet, fine day. Paid Anthony for 15 chickens, 
$2.50, and Polly for 6 ditto, $1.00. 2 

24. Thursday. Very warm. Attended election at Ladd's 
Store. Voted for Sewell as judge, Willcox as atty. for county, 
etc., in place of Isaac Christian. . . . 

July 

13. Friday. . . . Man Edmund very sick. Died at night. 
Think it was from curing up a sore too suddenly. Very great loss 
to me, not less than $1,000. Son Willie and Jimmie left for 
Old Point. . . . 

20. Friday. . . . Mr. J. L. Gordon McCabe, my teacher, 
left me this morning, after having been here in that capacity for 
two years. I have great admiration for him in every particular. 
A young man of extraordinary capacity, a hard student, strictly 
attentive to his duties, conscientious and moral, beyond anyone 
of his age I have ever known. Settled with Mr. McCabe as fol- 
lows: Paid him previously to this $100, cash today $10, gave him 
an order on Selden and Miller, of Richmond, for $390, [total] 
$500. Received of Mrs. Martha Cocke, of Prince George, this 
sum for the board and tuition of her son Nat from 1st Feby. to 
date, 5^4 months at $20 month, $113.33. . . . Received of 
Mr. N. C. Cocke this sum in full for his daughter Mary's board 
and tuition and books for the past year, $173.53. . . . 

August 

1. Wednesday. . . . Finished in evening all my wheat. 
Threshed 138 bushels red wheat which finished the entire crop, 



a The book contains many entries like this. 



308 Smith College Studies in History 

making 3,149 bushels as measured from machine. I do not believe 
this is one-half the crop that I should have made from the 222 
acres. The entire crop averaged me rather over 14 bushels. . . . 
This crop, which promised to be the best I ever made, was de- 
stroyed by army worms, fly, joint worms, etc., none of which 
made their appearance until the wheat was all headed up. . . . 
9. Thursday. ... I left home this day with my daughter 
Mollie, Willie, servant Oliver, and self for White Sulphur 
Springs, as also man Burwell for the Hot Springs. . . . 

12. Sunday. . . . Arrived at White Sulphur to dinner and 
found great crowd, say 1,900. . . . 

13. Monday. At White Sulphur. . . . My wife, sons 
Saunders and Jamy and Becky left for Richmond in Schultz 
on their way to Howard's Neck in Goochland. . . 

31. Friday. . . . Paid Burwell, my blacksmith's expenses 
at Hot Springs, where he staid 20% days for the rheumatism: 
see bill, $31.25. . . . 

September. 

7. Friday. Paid stage fare for Oliver to Hot Springs, $4.00. 
Paid for Oliver to spend a week at Hot Springs for the rheuma- 
tism, $20.00. . . . Son Miles, Wm. Allen, Mr. Howard, and 
Mr. Robertson came here to go sora-shooting. . . . 

28. Friday. . . . Settled with Hoxall, Crenshaw & Co., 
the price of my wheat at 160 cts. per bushel, 3 Yi cash and the 
other half 1st of Jany., 1861. The 2,500 bushels amounted to 
exactly $4,000. 

29. Saturday. . . . Returned home after an absence of 
seven weeks and three days. Left Mollie at Howard's Neck and my 
wife in Goochland. Found all well at home, and but one chill 
the entire summer. There are three rollers and four harrows 
going. I never had a field in such beautiful order for seeding 
before at this season. It all looked as if it was seeded. The 
earth very dry. . . . 



" But in final settlement 15 cents a bushel was deducted from the price 
of the red wheat (see Journal, October 24, 1860). 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 309 

October 

20. Saturday. . . . Gave out my negroes' shoes, bought 
of Putney and Watts, 46 pairs. . . . 

November 

1. Thursday. . . . Miss Mary Rodney and her father ar- 
rived from Lewes, Deleware. Miss Rodney has come as teacher 
in my family at $60 per month. Very warm spring day. . . . 

6. Tuesday. Day of the presidential election. Went up to 
Ladd's Store and voted for Brackenridge and Layne. . . . 

7. Wednesday. Bo't 4 bushels oysters, $3.00. . . . 

15. Thursday. . . . Finished seeding all my wheat. Seeded 
today S l / 2 acres and 8 bushels, making of red wheat Z7y 2 
acres and 50^4 bushels, and all together 215^ acres and 359>4 
bushels wheat. The wheat first seeded, and indeed all the 
fallow, is filled with the Hessian fly. The crop is very luxuriant 
and looks now like May. The most of the fallow covers the 
ground completely. Gathered in corn all the evening. 

16. Friday. Delivered to Mr. A. C. and R. S. Rowland 
balance of my wheat as follows: 44 26-60 bushels white seed at 
$1.60, $71.10; 32 32-60 bushels red seed at $1.40, $45.50; 233 
32-60 white screenings at $1.30, $305.55; [total] $420.15. Gather- 
ed in corn all day. A fine, sweet day. . . . 

21. Wednesday. Quite cool this morning. Killed 40 hogs by 
breakfast time. They would have been very fine but for so many 
being with pig. Delivered to Captain Southgate, of Glen Cove, 
27 turkeys at 75 cts. each, $20.25. . . . 

22. Thursday. Weighed, cut out, and salted up the 40 hogs. 
They weighed 6,321 lbs., an average of 158 lbs. They would 
have gone to 175 lbs. but for so many being with pig. We had 
to destroy some 70 pigs. Finished salting up by 12 o'cl. and tried 
up all the lard by 4 o'cl. Gathered up corn all the evening. 

December 

1. Saturday. Paid my taxes today to James Hubbard, sheriff 
of Charles City. Paid him cash $100 and an order on Selden 



310 Smith College Studies in History 

and Miller for $153.50, [total] $253.50. Turned much cooler, 
wind N. W. Gathering in corn from lane, etc. Sent Oliver up 
to Richmond on Thursday to see the doctor about his arm. Gave 
him $5.00. . . . 

12. Wednesday. Killed the balance of our pork, 54 hogs, mak- 
ing 94 killed this winter. Finished them all by 11 o'cl. Then 
went to gathering in corn, etc. 

13. Thursday. Weighed, cut out, and salted up the 54 hogs 
by 12 o'cl. The 54 hogs weighed 7,671 lbs, an average of 142 lbs. 
The 94 hogs weighed 13,992 lbs., or an average of 148^ lbs. 
This is the largest killing I believe I have ever made. The hogs 
were more equal in size and quite fat. But for there being so 
many with pig it would have been a superb killing. Ploughed 
and gathered in corn all the evening. . . . 

24. Monday. ... I went up to Shirley and spent the 
day. Visited the Virginia Dare laying at the Hundred, the ship 
my son Channing is going to sea in. Found her a very fine ship. 
Gathered in some corn. Got wood for Xmas, etc. Son Jimmie 
came home from school. 

25. Tuesday. Xmas day opened by slight snow in morning. 
Cleared off quite cold. Gave my negroes many things for Xmas. 
Son John and Doctor Crenshaw here. Hunter Saunders and 
Palmer here, etc. Gave son Edward $2.00. 

26. Wednesday. Clear and cold. Son Channing left for the 
ship Virginia Dare at the Hundred. Gave him $2.00. 

27. Thursday. Quite cold. Threatening snow. Hunter, 
Palmer Saunders and Robert and Allen Selden here. 

28. Friday. Very cold and threatening snow. Doctor Cren- 
shaw here. Ship Virginia Dare went down the river today. Son 
Channing on board, bound for Liverpool. . . . 

29. Saturday. Cloudy and threatening rain. Went to work. 

1861 
January 

19. Saturday. Gathered in corn. Fine day over head, but 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 311 

the land very wet. Had fox hunt here. Caught two foxes, and 
great sport. 4 . . . 

23. Wednesday. Finished getting in corn by 12 o'cl. . . . 

February 

4. Monday. This was the day for electing a member to the 
convention to assemble in Richmond on the 18th to decide whether 
Virginia shall secede from the union or not. Already S. Caro- 
lina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana have 
seceded. Snowed very hard nearly all day, so did not go to the 
election. Mr. John M. Fergusson gave me his check on the 1st 
for $500 loaned me. . . . 

20. Wednesday. Same work. Quite cold. Whipped Pom- 
pey. 5 

21. Thursday. Attended court. Allowed $1,500 for clothing 
for the volunteer company of this county. Paid Mrs. Mary 
Mumford this sum through R. G. Waddill, constable, for the hire 
of her man Lewis as a carpenter for assisting in building negro 
quarters and barn, etc., $86.00. . . . 

March 

4. Monday. This is the day of the inauguration of the vile 
Black Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. Great 
change in the weather: turned quite cold. Wind N. or N. W. 

7. Thursday. . . . Sent 126 bacon hams up to Selden and 
Miller to be sold, weighing 1,685 lbs. net. Sent them in 8 barrels 
by Schultz. Commenced catching shad here on Monday last. 

11. Monday. Delivered all my sale corn today, in all 1,660 
bushels, to schooner Isabella Thompson, Captain Carson, of New 
Jersey. This corn is to be shipped to New York to C. M. Fry 
and Co., to be sold on my account by Selden and Miller. . . . 



4 This is the only allusion to fox-hunting in Selden's Westover Journal. 
Whatever the condition elsewhere in Virginia, Westover, in Mr. Selden's 
day, was not the home of huntsmen. 

5 This is the only mention in the Westover Journal of the whipping of 
a slave. 



312 Smith College Studies in History 

April 

12. Friday. The papers state that the freshet in the James 
and other rivers in Virginia is the highest by far since 1847. The 
water was all over the street at the market-house and filled all 
the cellars up to the old Bell tavern. Repairing my fence carried 
away by the water in Hillman's. Hauling logs to repair wharf, 
etc. Wind east and clouded up again. The South Carolinians 
commenced the attack on Fort Sumter this morning. 

13. Saturday. Had hard rain all last night and nearly all day 
today. So much rain has turned the wheat yellow. Fencing on 
marsh in Hillman's, etc. 

14. Sunday. Had tremendous blow and rain last night, and 
then cleared off. This is a sweet, fine day. 

15. Monday. Very sweet, fine day. Harrowing corn land. 
Finished fence around Hillman's. My sister Martha and her 
family left for my brother's (Doctor Selden, Kittiewan), having 
been here four weeks and three days. Sent them down by land 
with carriage and wagon. 

16. Tuesday. Rained all last night and mostly today. Mrs. 
Green and Georgia came today. Doing but little. Fort Sumter 
surrendered to the Confederate States on Saturday, 13th. 

17. Wednesday. Virginia seceded on 17th. Sharpening stobs, 
etc. Virginia went out of the union today. . . . 

19. Friday. Mrs. Green and her two daughters left today 
for New York. Harrowing corn with everything. Attended 
court again. We appropriated $5,500 to equip volunteer com- 
panies and the home guard with rifles, pistols, and carbines. 

20. Saturday. Old Fort Norfolk, the arsenal, was taken by 
the citizens of Norfolk last night and all the powder sent up to 
Richmond that night. Today, about 1 o'cl., the Pawnee came into 
Norfolk Harbor and burnt the navy yard and sunk all the naval 
ships there and retired. I went up to Richmond today in the 
Glen Cove. She towed up the powder taken last night, 80,000 
lbs. . . . 

21. Sunday. Great excitement in Richmond, as it was re- 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esor. 313 

ported that the Pawnee was coming up to Richmond to recapture 
the powder. Every company in the city and every man who could 
get a gun of any sort or kind was at Rockets to repel her. It was 
said she had 1,600 men on board. . . 

23. Tuesday. Went down to John's, Gus. Crenshaw's, and 
Dr. Selden's to see my sister Martha 6 and to offer my services to 
take care of their families in the mountains. Commenced plant- 
ing corn in the house field. John M. Fergusson lent me this 
sum, $500. Heard today that Fort Pickens had been captured 
by the Southerners. . . . 

26. Friday. Miss Mary B. Rodney, my teacher, left for home, 
Lewes, Delaware. ... A letter addressed to Miss Rodney 
to be directed to the care of father, Henry F. Rodney, Lewes, 
Delaware, or to D. Rodney King, Philadelphia. We part with 
Miss Rodney with many regrets as we consider her not only the 
most accomplished lady we have ever met, but the most agreeable 
and charming. . . 

27. Saturday. Miss Rodney returned from Norfolk, not 
being able to get home from there. 7 All communication is cut 
off with the North from the war. Mr. Nathaniel Cocke, of P. 
George, came over for his daughter. He paid me $100 in cash 
and gave me his note for $76, amount due me for his daughter's 
board and tuition to this date. . . . 

30. Tuesday. Found great excxitement in Richmond today 8 
from the numerous troops arriving in Richmond and Washington. 

May 

1. Wednesday. Same as yesterday, both at home and in Rich- 
mond. An awful civil war seems inevitable. 

3. Friday. . . . Our ports were blockaded on yesterday. 
The Glen Cove could not get to Norfolk, there being two war 



6 Mrs. Saunders, of Norfolk. Captain Saunders, her husband, had died 
a few months earlier. 

7 Miss Rodney continued to teach in Mr. Selden's family after the war 
began. 

8 Mr. Selden went to Richmond on the 29th. 



314 Smith College Studies in History 

vessels in mouth of river, and three in Hampton Roads. White 
frost and very cold. Paid my son John this sum in part for seed 
wheat bought of Mr. White, of Surry, $80. Lincoln has taken 
possession of Maryland, divided it into 4 military districts, and 
declared martial law. Alexandria is threatened by the black repub- 
licans and the citizens all leaving. . . . 

6. Monday. I carried Miss Mary B. Rodney, my teacher, up 
to Richmond with my daughter Maria, son Saunders and Army 
and girl Julia on their way to Goochland, to John Hobson's. . . 

7. Tuesday. Remained in Richmond. Troops arriving con- 
stantly. Great excitement. . . . 

9. Thursday. Sent Ned down with 8 of my men to assist in 
erecting the old fort Powhatan. . . . My sister Martha went 
up from Brother William's to Goochland. . . . 

11. Friday. . . . My 8 men returned from old fort to- 
night having finished all the work now required of them. . . . 

16. Saturday. . . . Get account sales of corn shipped to 
New York, nett, $1,001.98. . . . 

18. Saturday. . . . My wife went to C. H. to work for 
troops. . . . 

20. Monday. . . . Sent my house servant Robert up to 
wait on Mr. Hobson at Ashland. He is in the troop of cavalry 
and has written for him. . . . 

23. Thursday. . . . Spent day with wife at the camp at 
Wilcox estate. . . . 

27. Monday. Wind very high from S. W. and very warm. 
Ploughing and weeding corn, etc. Our troops left the county 
for York. . . . 

30. Thursday. . . . Spent day at son John's. Great many 
troops going down the river in steamers to Williamsburg and 
York. . . . 

June 

3. Monday. Went up to Eppes Island to try 3 negroes for 
plotting insurrection. Sent them on for further trial and had them 
committed to jail. Weeding corn with all hands, etc. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 315 

4. Tuesday. Same work. Packing up my books, etc. 

5. Wednesday. Went down to C. H. with Mr. H. Carter 
and continued the trial of the negroes. The evidence not being 
sufficient to convict them of felony, had them whipped with 39 
lashes each and discharged. . . . 

11. Tuesday. Heard by steam boat that they had had a fight 
near Hampton. Our troop cavalry was in the engagement. The 
report was that 300 of the Yankees were killed and only one of 
our men, and he from N. Carolina. . . . 

12. Wednesday. Account of the battle of Bethel Church, in 
Elizabeth City County, between our forces, 1,200 in all, and the 
Northern forces, 4,000 to 5,000 strong, was a complete victory 
and route of the Yankees. The Yankees lost 200 in killed and 
wounded and we only 1 man killed and 7 wounded. Such a vic- 
tory is scarcely upon record. Our troops were commanded by 
Gen. Magruder and the Northern by Gen. Butler. One Colonel 
and one major were killed on the Northern side. The battle 
was fought by only 800 of our men, the rest being cavalry held in 
reserve. One Richmond howitzer company, Major G. W. Ran- 
dolph and Col. Hill's N. C. regiment of infantry did the whole. 
The Yankees made three rallies and were repulsed each time, the 
last time a complete rout. The road was completely strewed with 
the dead and wounded all the way to Hampton. Our Charles City 
Cavalry, my son John in the company, was on the ground and pur- 
sued them in the rout. Bought a sturgeon for $1.25. . . . 

July 

20. Saturday. . . . Paid 4 hirelings for threshing, $10. 
Very warm. Our troops defeated the North at Bull Run Creek 
three times on Thursday the 18th last, near Manassas : odds 
against us nearly 4 to 1. 

21. Sunday. Had great fight today at the stone bridge, near 
Manassas, between the Confederates and Yankees. 50,000 on 
the Confederate side and 75,000 on the Yankee. The latter was 
completely whipped and routed. 15,000 men under Gen. Joe 
Johnston whipped 35,000 under Gen. Patterson, the latter taken 



316 Smith College Studies in History 

prisoner. The loss of the Yankees estimated at 12,000 to 15,000 
killed, and the Confederate loss some 2,000. This is the greatest 
battle ever fought on the American continent. Attended church. 
Fine day. . . . 

25. Thursday. Sent 6 hired men down to Williamsburg to 
work on the fortification at 75 cts. a day. Gen. Magruder re- 
quired one half of all the men from those that had not worked 
on fortifications. As I worked 8 of my men 4 days on Fort 
Powhatan I sent only one- fourth of mine. Gave the men this sum 
to pay their fare down, $6.00. The men were Tom Hair, Joe 
Albert, Billy Harris, Sykes, Nicholas Jackson, and John Johns, 
from Petersburg. . . . 

August 

8. Thursday. Finished threshing all my wheat by 11 o'cl. 
Threshed today of red 164 bushels, making in all 4,792. . . . 

19. Monday. . . . Paid Joe Albert, a free man, for 20 
days work at Williamsburg on the fortification there at 25 cts. 
He will be entitled to 50 cts. a day from the government when 
collected, say for 19 days. . . . 9 

September 

9. Monday. We shipped to Selden and Miller on the 28 last 
month 40 bbls. family flour, and on the 30th 19 bbls., making 59 
bbls. family, and on the 30th 9 bbls, super-fine. This day we 
shipped 4 bbls. super-fine and 22 of fine flour. This winds up 
the 1,242 bushels white wheat delivered on the 10th August, which 
has made 189 barrels of family, 33 barrels of super-fine, and 22 
barrels of fine flour. We have retained 10 barrels family and 100 
lbs. super-fine, and 316 lbs. fine, given to negroes. 

22. Sunday. Quite cool. Wind N. Acct. sales of 1,242 
bushels white wheat ground for me by A. C. and R. S. Rowland 
and sold by Selden and Miller, Richmond : To 62 bbls. family 
flour at $8.50, $527.00; to 117 bbls. ditto at $8.00, $936.00; to 33 
bbls. super-fine ditto at $6.00, $198.00; to 22 bbls. fine ditto at 



9 This amount was paid later on. It seems that the men were free 
negroes. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 317 

$4.50, $99.00; to 15 lbs of loose family flour at $8.50, $.65; to 
100 lbs. super-fine loose at $6.00, $3.00; to 316 lbs. fine given my 
negroes at $4.50 per bbl., $7.12; to 336 bushels bran at 12 1-2 
cts., $42.00; to 65 ditto shorts at 15 cts., $9.75 ; to 154 bushels ship 
stuff at 30 cts., $46.20; to 10 bbls. family reserved for self at 
$8.50, $85.00. [Total receipts], $1,953.72. Expenses: By 5 per 
cent on $1,760 flour sold to S. and M., $88.00; by 244 bis. at 50 
cts., $122; by freight on 234 bis. to Richmond, $29.25 ; by drayage 
on 35 loads at 36 cts., $12.60 — [total expenses] $251.85; net re- 
ceipts $1,701.87 — making the 1,242 bushels wheat nett me about 
$1.37, when wheat is only selling for one doll, in Richmond at this 
time. . . . 10 

October 

17. Thursday. Attended court. Appointed commsr. to at- 
tend election on the 6th Novr. to elect president, etc., of Southern 
Confederacy. Finished sowing Woodfin wheat up to grove fence. 

19. Saturday. . . . Sold 1 bl. super-fine flour to my man 
Patrick for $5.50. . . . 

26. Saturday. . . . The battle of Leesburg was fought on 
21st by Gen. Evans in which we whipped four times our number. 

November 

6. Wednesday. . . . Attended the Court House all day as 
commsr. to conduct the presidential election. Davis and Stevens 
was voted for as president and vice-president of the Confederate 
States and John Tyler for congress. . . . 

11. Monday. Attended the Court House to compare the polls 
and to make proper returns of the election for president and vice- 
president and member of our first congress, etc. Davis and 
Stevens received a unanimous vote, 139; Tyler for congress 133. 



10 Mr. Selden continued to send his wheat to Rowland's mill until he 

had sent 4,554 bushels, his entire crop of 1861. December 4 he entered 

in the Journal that the net receipts from the crop were $5,680.67, or 
$1.24 3-4 a bushel. 



318 Smith College Studies in History 

December 

6. Friday. I went up to Ladd's Store to give in my list of 
taxable property for carrying on the war, etc. Commissioner 
John Walker valued my land at $24,400, 63 negroes at $17,675 
(or an average of $280}^), my other taxable property at $800; 
[total] $42,875, on which I shall have to pay a tax of 50 cts. in 
every $100 worth of property, or $214.37 next May. Gathering 
in corn with all hands all day. Very sweet, pleasant day. . . . 

12. Thursday. Paid Bob, on board Schultz, this sum for 4 
beef steaks and 4 shanks, $5.50. Sent son Edward up to Peters- 
burg to hire four free negroes to go to Williamsburg to work in 
place of my negroes as required by Gen. Magruder. . . . 

16. Monday. Killed 35 hogs of my own and 2 of my negroes'. 

17. Tuesday. Weighed my 35 hogs. They weighed 5,471 
lbs., or an average of 156 lbs. My negroes' 2 hogs, just 12 months 
old, weighed 528 lbs. This makes 76 hogs killed and 12,550 lbs., 
or an average of 165 lbs. There are 32 yet to kill. Salted them 
all up. . . . 

20. Friday. . . . Expected war with England by the 
Northern people in consequence of Mason and Slidell's seizure 
from a British vessel, the Trent. Very warm spring day. 

21. Saturday. Dr. Crenshaw's man Isaac left. He has been 
here as a blacksmith not quite 4 months. Gave him $4.00. Had 
quite a dinner party today, and dance, etc.. at night in honor of 
Mr. and Mrs. Loyall. 

23. Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Loyall and Miss Millie Maury 
left for Norfolk via Petersburg. . . . 

24. Tuesday. My daughter Kittie and her children and Jimmie 
Crenshaw came in steam boat. . . . 

25. Wednesday. Xmas day: fine day. Attended church, 
which was beautifully dressed up with evergreens. Had large 
congregation. Gave my negroes 350 lbs. of bacon and beef, 2 lbs. 
of super-fine flour, 1 pint of molasses each, lard, etc., for their 
Xmas. Had large dinner party of my neighbors. . . . 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 319 

1862 
January 

27. Monday. Heard of the defeat of Gen. Crittenden in 
Kentucky. . . . 

February 

10. Monday. Heard of the surrender of Roanoke Island to 
the Federals. It was bombarded on Friday and Saturday by about 
50 odd vessels without success. They then landed 15,000 men. 
After a desperate fight we had to surrender to an overpowering 
force. Our hold [sic] number on the island was not more than 
2,500, whereas the enemy had 50 odd vessels engaged in the fight 
and a land force of 15,000 men. O. G. Wise and my partner's 
son, Edgar Miller, 11 reported to have been mortally wounded. 
Only 50 men are said to have escaped. All the rest had to sur- 
render. The papers report from 3 to 400 of ours killed and from 
1,000 to 1,500 of the Federals. . . . 

18. Tuesday. . . . The wedding party 12 from Kittiewan 
came up in the steamboat, Mr. Strocher and wife. etc. Dined 26 
persons. Had beautiful entertainment. . . . 

19. Wednesday. All the party here. Rained nearly all day. 
In evening went over to Berkley to a party. Assorting corn, etc. 

20. Thursday. Paid my daughter Kittie for a silver ladle, as a 
present to Sarah from my daughter Mollie, $10.00. Paid ditto 
for making a dress by Miss Vernon for Mollie, $5.00. . . . 

22. Saturday. Inauguration of President Jefferson Davis. 
Large crowd, but a dreadful day. Rained in torrents all day. 
Did not attend in consequence of the rain. 13 . . . 

28. Friday. Thanksgiving day throughout the Southern Con- 
federacy. Every store shut up in Richmond. Sent Oliver down 
home this morning for some clothes, etc. 



11 Edgar Miller recovered from his injuries and spent some time at 
Westover in 1862. 

12 Sarah Selden, niece of the diarist, was married on February 13. 

13 Mr. Selden was in Richmond with his daughter Mollie and servant 
Oliver from February 20 to March 5, 1862. 



320 Smith College Studies in History 

March 

8. Saturday. . . . Today the naval engagement off New- 
port News between an ironclad steamer Merrimac (now the 
Virginia) and the Newport News battery and the frigates Cum- 
berland, Congress, Minnesota, and many gunboats. . . . 

10. Monday. Had full accounts and confirmation of the fight 
off Newport News. The Virginia (ironclad steamer), Patrick 
Henry, and Jamestown (sidewheel steamers), the gunboats Teasel, 
Beaufort, and another, sunk the Cumberland, burnt the Congress 
and nearly destroyed the Minnesota (frigates of the enemy), be- 
sides destroying nearly all their gunboats and dismantling all 
their guns at Newport News and killing and otherwise destroying 
some 1,200 of the enemy. . . . 

13. Thursday. Sent son Edward down to Jamestown to pre- 
pare for my negroes that are to be sent down there on Saturday 
next by the requisition of Gen. Magruder. Gave him this sum 
for expenses, $5.00. 

15. Saturday. The West Point steamboat 14 went up today, 
having run the blockade at Newsport News in consequence of 
its being broken up by the ironclad steamer Virginia. About 
sunrise there set in a dense fog. I sent six of my negroes today 
to Jamestown to work on the fortifications by order of Gen. 
Magruder. Their names are James, Austin, Anderson, Thomas, 
Nathan, and Carter, all young and likely. I send them very re- 
luctantly; for I am not only very backward in my farming oper- 
ations, but they must be very much exposed and liable to be 
sick. I would greatly prefer paying money in their stead. . . . 

28. Received of Selden and Miller this sum as part of my por- 
tion of the division of our funds on hand, making a just and equal 
distribution — viz., $5,000. Miles Selden received or takes out 
$30,000; E. Miller, his capital of $2,500 and $20,000 profits. 
$22,500; John A. Selden his capital $10,000 and $10,000 profits, 
$20,000; Wm. Allen, same— $20,000. [Total] $92,500. There 
will be about $72,500 left in concern to carry it on or to be dis- 



She entered the James River, where she was to run for some time. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 321 

tributed hereafter. Sent my man Oliver up to John D. Hobson's 
this evening to carry a check for the $5,000 to my sister Martha 
B. Saunders to pay my bond due her for this sum, — money I 
borrowed, etc., of Captain Saunders on the 1st February, 1835. 
This pays her in full. There is 3 months interest due her ($75), 
which is paid in the board and tuition of her daughter Pattie at 
my house from the 10th October, 1861, to this date. Vessel arrived 
here for my corn this evening. ... I went up with son Miles 
to Amelia Springs. 

29. Saturday. Staid all night at Jetersville Station on the Dan- 
ville road. Hired a horse and buggy and went to Amelia Springs, 
3 miles from there. Rented the hotel from Mr. Wilson at $200 
for the month of April. It hailed and rained so there that we re- 
turned to Jetersville and came on down that evening to Rich- 
mond. . . . 

31. Monday. Received of Selden and Miller this sum in full 
of my proportion of our dividend determined on, including the 
sales of my bacon, flour, and corn ($588.68), $4,654.26. Deposit- 
ed of this sum, $4,175.70 in Va. Bank at Richmond; so that I 
have in Bank of Va. now $4,470.58. Deposited also the $5,000 
returned to me by my sister to be invested in stock for her, making 
$9,175.70 deposited today. Bought today $4,500 worth of N. C. 
State stock payable in '83 at 102 for my sister, M. B. Saunders. 
Bought do. $400 worth of Va. State at 93^ for ditto, $374; 
[total] $4,995, leaving a balance of $5.00. This stock (the N. C.) 
pays 8 per cent and the Va. 6 per cent. I bought also two $1,000 
shares of N. C. State stock for myself at $102, making $2,053.77, 
for all of which I gave Miles a check for $7,048.77. This leaves 
me in Bank of Va. now, after deducting the $1.40 overdrawn, 
$2,416.81. . . . 

April 

1. Tuesday. . . . Commenced delivering corn this morn- 
ing to schooner C. A. Finley, Captain B. Spruill. . . . 

2. Wednesday. Finished delivering what corn the vessel 
would take by 10 o'cl. Delivered in all 1,264 bushels, sold by S. 



322 Smith College Studies in History 

and M. to the Government at $4.00 [a barrel] or 80 cts. per 
bushels, delivered in Richmond. I pay 5 cts. freight. Started to 
shelling out more corn. . . . 

3. Thursday. Edgar Miller went up to City Point in my row 
boat to see about chartering a car to carry my things up to 
Amelia Springs. He succeeded and returned home by 12 o'cl., 
bringing down Wm. A. Harrison's large boat to carry my things 
up to City Point. Shelling corn with all hands. 

4. Friday. Edgar Miller went up last night at 3 o'cl. to City 
Point with both boats loaded with barrels, etc., of my things, to 
be shipped to Amelia Springs. . . . 

5. Saturday. Weighed all my bacon on hand. Have now of 
sides, shoulders, and joles, 5,750 lbs., besides about 75 hams. 
Shall ship about 4 hogs [heads], or 3,000 lbs., to Amelia Springs. 
The battle on the Peninsular, below York Town commenced this 
morning. Started a plo' and cleaning corn. 

6. Sunday. The battle still raging. Could hear the cannon 
very distinctly. Fine day. 

7. Monday. Got the schooner Hope (pilot-boat), Captain 
Bully, to carry my things up to City Point to be carried by rail- 
road to the Amelia Springs, putting 4 hogs [heads] bacon, 3 [hogs- 
heads] hams, 250 bushels corn, 6 barrels bottled wine, 3 carboys 
— 1 wine, 1 brandy, and 1 whiskey, — half of all my groceries, 4 
bbls. flour, drawingroom carpet, and many, many, other things of 
considerable value, all my silver, blankets and sheets, etc. Rained 
hard all day, and the fighting going on. 

8. Tuesday. Rained incessantly all day. Finished loading 
the vessel. Cleaning corn, etc. My boy Robert gave me insults 
and ran away and I shot him in thigh. 15 

9. Wednesday. Vessel left and took up Sugar Knox, her 
two children, and Pattie Saunders to City Point ; also Edgar 
Miller, who is to carry my things up to Amelia Springs. Gave 
Sugar Knox this sum to pay her expenses up to Kittie's, $10.00. 



18 This "boy Robert" had been the servant of Mr. John D. Hobson, Mr. 
Selden's son-in-law, of the Confederate cavalry. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 323 

Gave Edgar Miller this sum to pay expenses of my things to 
Amelia Springs, $150.00. Rained incessantly all day. Cleaned 
corn, etc. Fighting at York Town still. 

10. Thursday. Still fighting at York Town. Stopped raining 
today, but cloudy and quite cold. The poor soldiers must have had 
dreadful times. . . . 

11. Friday. Clear, beautiful day, but quite cool. . . . Re- 
pairing fence running to Berkley, between fallow or clover and 
corn land. Mary Selden returned from Petersburg via Shirley. 
Came down from there in wagon. No boats have stopped on the 
river now for a week, all being employed in carrying troops down 
to the Peninsular. We got a paper today by Mary, which is the 
first we have seen for more than a week. It gives an account of 
the great victory at Corinth, and the death of General Albert 
Sidney Johnston. If the accounts are correct, the victory was 
complete. The Federals are reported to have lost in killed and 
wounded from 8 to 10,000 and 5,000 prisoners. Our reported 
loss, 3,000 in killed and wounded ; and we were in full pursuit. 
Their army completely demoralized. Thus says the Petersburg 
Express. Still repairing fences, etc. . . . 

13. Sunday. Two of my boys from James Town returned — 
James and Thomas. They have been there just 4 weeks. There 
are 3 now remaining, Austin, Nathan, and Carter. They report 
the two latter sick. . . . 

14. Monday. . . . More troops going down the river. 
Expect a great fight below York Town. . . 

18. Friday. Started everything to harrowing and getting the 
land ploughed ready to plant in corn immediately, as I understand 
my horses will probably be pressed into the service of the army. 
Edgar Miller returned me $11.10 of the $150 I gave him on the 
9th to pay expenses of things up to Amelia Springs. . . . 
Sending my negroes' hay over to Berkley to be pressed. Had two 
ox-carts and 9 men at it all day. Captain Wm. Green of the navy 
arrived by land. 

19. Saturday. I have had 9 men two days bailing up my 
negroes' hay at Berkley. Delivered it this morning. Mager de- 



324 Smith College Studies in History 

livered 527 lbs., Wm. and Carter, 851 ; Wm. himself, 656; Ander- 
son, 979; and Austin, 212; in all, 3,225 lbs. . . . Sent here 
again for my negroes, but would not send them to work on forti- 
fications. Have three there now, and understand two of them are 
sick. 

21. Monday. Easter holiday. Wind E. and N. E. all day, 
and drizzling rain. Very bad weather. The Patrick Henry and 
James Town passed up the river, one on yesterday and the other 
today ; also a small gunboat. Suppose they ran the blockade or 
have driven them from Newport News. 

24. Thursday. . . . Received of Captain H. C. Whiting, 
agent for the government, this sum for 3,225 lbs. of hay for my 
negroes, $48.37. Mager receives $7.90 1-2; Wm. and Carter, 
$12.76; William, $9.84; Anderson, $14.86; Austin, $3.18. . . . 

29. Tuesday. Planting corn. Sent 3 mules down to C. H., 
bought by the government, pressed — Sam, Bet, and Rock. They 
are to be valued there. Mr. Bentley pressed them. Weighed 
balance of my negroes' hay, fodder, etc. William has 424 lbs. 
fodder at $1.50, $6.36; Austin, 956 lbs. do., $14.34; John Camel, 
526 lbs. do., $8.19; Dick, 96 lbs. do., $1.44; George, 470 lbs. do., 
$7.05. Free man, Miles, carried up for me today 6 veals in 
Custis Peck to sell in Richmond. 

30. Wednesday. Received of Robert Bentley, agent for the 
government, this sum for two mules— Lucy, $175, and Bet, $100. 
These mules were pressed by the government. . . . 

May 

1. Thursday. . . . Received of Harris Miles this sum 
for 6 veals he sold for me in Richmond. I paid him % for sell- 
ing. He received $20 each, $120, less %, $100 nett. Paid my 
negroes for their hay. 

5. Monday. Gen. John B. Magruder and staff arrived here 
tonight from below Grove Wharf to remain until he recovers 
from boils, etc. He came up in the Wm. Allison. Major Ma- 
gruder (his brother), Captain W T m. Allston, Captain Hugh 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 325 

Stanard, Captain Brent, Captain , 16 and Doctor Mallen 

and others came, with horses, etc. 

6. Tuesday. Preparing to leave home for Amelia Springs. 
Land too wet to work. Left home with my two daughters, Mollie 
and Maria, at half past 11 o'cl. today. Brought with me, of my 
servants: Oliver, Robert, Mager, James, William, Thomas, An- 
derson, George, Pompey, Miles, Nathan, and Carter — young men; 
also, Matilda, Arrena, Julia, Eliza and little Lizzie — women and 
girls, making 17. Gave my wife before leaving home, this sum, 
$120. . . . Brought along also 4 of my best cows. We 
started off with my buggy and my two carriage-horses, my rid- 
ing horse, 2 wagons, and 8 of my best mules. It was the gloomi- 
est and most heart-rending thing I ever did in my life, to leave my 
wife and a part of my family behind. But I did it advisedly, as 
every friend I had advised me that they should remain, or else 
lose all I had at Westover. Never shall I forget my sufferings 
on the occasion. Even my negroes that I left behind wept bitter- 
ly. General Magruder and his whole staff said I must leave as I 
did. We arrived safely in Richmond by sundown and stopped at 
Mr. Richard Wilkins's, on Church Hill. I could not get my 
horses or anything in at a livery stable, so had to stop in the 
street. 

7. Wednesday. Remained in Richmond all day. ... I 
bought for my boy Nathan a coat, $5.00, pr. pants, $2.25, and a 
flannel shirt, $4.00. Gave to my negroes $1.00 each. . . . 

8. Thursday. Left Richmond for the Amelia Springs about 
8 o'cl. and got as far as the High Hills, Mr. Martin's, 20 miles, 
where we staid all night. Found the road very bad, and very 
much fatigued. We could have gone much farther but was wor- 
ried by the cows' slow gait, and the men could not keep up. 

9. Friday. Left the High Hills and got to Mr. Holt's, where 
we fed. Paid Mr. Holt this sum for fodder, $1.25. We arrived 
at Amelia Springs about sundown after passing over the worst 
road I ever saw. I paid Mr. Martin at the High Hills this morn- 
ing this sum for lodging, $5.00, and his servants, 55 cts. 

16 Name omitted. 



326 Smith College Studies in History 

10. Saturday. . . . Set my hands to fixing a stable for 
my mules, etc. Very warm day. We have fixed ourselves in 
two rooms in the cabin row. . . , 17 

12. Monday. Unpacked all my meat at the Springs and found 
it would have injured very much, if not have spoilt. Very mouldy 
and splably. [ ?] Sunned it all and counted it. Had, in hogsheads, 
79 middlings, 80 shoulders, and 11 joles — in all, 170 pieces, and 
45 hams, put away in Mr. Willson's smoke house ; so that I 
brought away from home 215 pieces meat and about 3,700 lbs. 
bacon, and left about the same at home. My wagons hauling for 
Mr. Willson cotton from the depot. They made 6 loads today. 
The rest of my hands planting potatoes for Mr. Willson. 

13. Tuesday. ... I received a letter from my wife today 
dated the 9th. No enemy had then come up the river. And one 
from E. Miller of yesterday's date — very despondent and gloomy 
letter. I received a letter from Mr. Miller saying that we had 
sold 1932 lbs. beef to Gen. Magruder at 20 cts., $386.50, and 
the money would not be paid in Richmond in consequence of 
some informality in the draft. . . . 

15. Thursday. . . . Heard the federal gunboats were in 

8 miles of Richmond and had had a slight fight. . . . 

21. Wednesday. . . . Got a letter from my wife dated 
16th. Federals had not stopped or interfered with us at home so 
far. . . . 

31. Saturday. Hired Nathan to Mr. Willson on yesterday for 
dining-room servant. Seven men and both wagons working for 
Cottrell. Our forces fought nearly all day on Williamsburg road 

9 miles from Richmond. Gen. Joe. Johnston wounded. Our loss 
very heavy, supposed from 2 to 3,000. We drove the federals 
back some 3 miles. 

June 

1. Sunday. Had another fight near same place, but not so 



" Mr. Selden's first idea . of keeping house at the Springs did not 
materialize. He and his family boarded at the hotel. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 327 

severe a one as that on yesterday. Rained and hailed tremen- 
dously at night. . . . 

9. Monday. Whitsunday holiday. Very cool. Mollie Orgain 
and my son James went down to Petersburg. Sent by her this 
sum to purchase two dresses, etc., for daughters Mollie and 
Maria, $50.00. Returned $22.47. 

10. Tuesday. My three men, James, Anderson, and Carter, 
ran away from here and believed gone home by way of Peters- 
burg, and will make for the Yankees. They left last night. 
Rained all day incessantly. . . . 

25. Wednesday. Edgar Miller arrived here (Amelia Springs) 
from home. He brought up 14 head horned cattle and 37 sheep and 
sold them in Richmond — cattle at 7 and sheep at 14 cts., gross. 
Very cool. Heavy skirmishing between the two armies on the 
Peninsular today. One man wed corn for Mr. Willson. Cutting 
clover hay. 

26. Thursday. The fight between the two armies on the Pen- 
insular commenced today with great success on our part. Drove 
the enemy back three miles and captured many batteries. Cutting 
clover. Mollie taken sick. 

27. Friday. Still fighting all along our lines — a general en- 
gagement ; tremendous bravery on our side. Captured a large 
number of cannon and drove the enemy back some seven miles. 
Same work as yesterday. Mollie very sick. 

28. Saturday. Tremendous fighting on the Peninsular. We 
have driven the enemy back some 15 miles, captured a great many 
prisoners, and killed vast numbers. Our loss estimated at some 
8000. The enemy probably double that number. . . . 

30. Monday. . . . The battle below Richmond still going 
on terrifically. 

July 

1. Tuesday. Clear and cool. Battle still going on. 

2. Wednesday. . . . The Mr. Willsons have hired Arrena 
8 days. Battle still going on terrifically near Turkey Island. 

3. Thursday. . . . Heard today that the Yankees were 



328 Smith College Studies in History 

at Shirley and Berkley in their retreat, trying to get off to their 
transports. 

5. Saturday. . . . General Johnston came here. 

6. Sunday. Very warm. Julia commenced waiting on Gen. 
Johnston. . . . 

August 

11. Monday. Received of Mr. S. S. Cotwell, this sum for 
work done on his farm (the Springs) to the 9th (a check on the 
Va. Bank), $264.25. Three men working for him, grubbing. 18 

21. Thursday. I went down to Richmond in cars with Mollie 
to send for my wife. Paid passage, $3.50, and hack, $2.50. Went 
to son Miles's. 

22. Friday. . . . Got an ambulance and six wagons of 
the government, and sent them down in the evening with Jimmie 
for my wife and family. . . . 

24. Sunday. Still in Richmond. Jimmie and the wagons re- 
turned to Richmond without getting to Westover, the gunboats 
being there. Great disappointment to us all. Doctor Minge and 
his wife came up in them. Everything destroyed at Westover 
except the house. . . . 

28. Thursday. Arrived at Springs after staying a week in 
Richmond. . . . 

September 

1. Monday. Gen. J. E. Johnston and party left the Amelia 
Springs. Quite cool, and pleasant weather. Quite unwell. . . 

6. Saturday. Settled with N. F. and F. C. Willson my bill* 
at Amelia Springs since 9th May. This bill for board, etc., 
$972.37. My bill against them $387.00. Gave them an order on 
Selden and Miller for this sum, $585.37. This is in full to this 
date. Their bill was an imposition beyond anything ever known. 

18 While at Amelia Springs Mr. Selden hired his slaves out to the 
neighboring farmers. The detailed reports in his Journal of their labors 
shows how closely he was connected with their activities. It was as though 
he was still supervising them. 



The Westover Journal of John A. Selden, Esqr. 329 

7. Sunday. My last day at the Amelia Springs. I went down 
to Richmond today with daughter Mollie to meet my wife from 
Westover. Found her at son Miles's, with Aunt Mary Selden, 
son Ned and Army. They were caught at Westover by the retreat 
of the federal army from around Richmond and have been kept 
at Westover for the last 8 weeks without ever being allowed to 
leave the yard. Ned has been very ill and now scarcely able to 
walk. I had not seen them before for 4 months. . . . 

8. Monday. Received of Captain Cary this sum for 4 mules 
for the quartermaster's department, $650. . . . 

9. Tuesday. Gave my Aunt Mary Selden this sum, $100. 
Received of the government this sum for work done by my 
negroes in April last at James Town, etc., $50.98. . . . 

11. Thursday. Went down and spent day with Gen. Wise at 
Chapin's Bluff. . . . 

15. Monday. Went down to Drury's Bluff, and from there 
to Chapin's Bluff, and staid all night with Gen. Wise. . . . 

16. Tuesday. Paid for $1,200 worth of Confederate stock at 
par, $1,200. Paid by Selden and Miller 8 per cent. Received of 
Selden and Miller, to pay for the above, $1,200. Returned to 
Richmond with Gen. Wise, and hired' a buggy at $15 per day 
to go to Westover. Staid all night with Gen. Wise at Chapin's. 

17. Wednesday. Went down to Westover with Wm. Allen. 
Found the estate entirely ruined. Should not have known it. 
Found Jarrat, 19 wife and 7 children, Edwin and wife, Jack, Moses, 
and John Camel, there. All the rest gone away with the Yankees, 
36 in no. 20 The entire country ruined. 

18. Thursday. Sold the Westover estate to Messrs. Ellet and 
Drury, of Richmond, for the sum of fifty thousand dollars cash — 
fifteen thousand dollars less than I had been offered for it before 



19 The overseer. 

20 December 6, 1861, Mr. Selden returned 63 slaves for taxes. He took 
17 with him to Amelia Springs, three of whom ran away from that place 
(May 6, and June 9, 1862). 



330 



Smith College Studies in History 



the war. In the sale was included all my farming utensils. I lost 
all my crop, 36 negroes, and plantation swept of everything on it 
except houses, and dug up and injured to any extent. I think 
my loss cannot be less than $75,000 dollars. 



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